Suspected kidnappers have killed a first class traditional ruler in Ondo State, the Oluifon of Ifon in Ose local government, Oba Isreal Adeusi.
A relative of the monarch confirmed this to on Thursday.
Oba Adeusi who was said to be on his way from a meeting in Akure in his official car around 4 pm when he was accosted by gunmen and shot at about 5:50pm near Elegbeka village along the Benin-Akure highway while returning to his community after a meeting in Akure.
Preliminary reports indicate that no one else was attacked in the car and no item was stolen.
The kidnappers were said to have also abducted two persons at the same spot. Sources said he was confirmed dead at a private hospital he was rushed to.
His corpse, it was learnt, had been conveyed to the Federal Medical Centre.
According to what a relative said, “He was in his official car which had his customised number plate. He drove to Akure for a meeting. But on his way back, on getting to a rough road along Elegbeka, he was accosted by gunmen and shot.
“It was clearly an assassination because nothing was stolen from the vehicle and the other two occupants of the vehicle were not harmed.”
It was gathered that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu canceled all his official engagement when he heard of the killing.
He was said to be on his way to Ifon to apparently stall any attack on non-indigenes of the state in the area.
Adeusi ascended the throne about 23 years ago and was in his 60s’
Ondo Police spokesman, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro, who confirmed the killing, said all police Divisions within the Ondo North axis have been mobilised to arrest the perpetrators.
