Youths stone Ekiti monarch over recurring deaths

Adebayo

Hundreds of youths in Emure Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Thursday protested what they described as frequent death of youths in the town.

 

They threw stones, sachet water and other objects on the monarch of the town, the Elemure of Emure, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo.

 

It was learnt that the youth initially marched to the palace where they registered their displeasure about the incidents.

 

Things, however, took a different turn after Adebayo addressed them. It was said that the youths became angry because of the way the monarch talked to them.

They (youths) then went violent and reportedly threw stones and other objects at the monarch.

 

The monarch, who was said to have been shocked by the treatment, was shielded by his chiefs who rushed him into an inner room in the palace.

 

Some of the chiefs were also said to have removed their beads and caps and disguised as they escaped through the back door.

 

Sources told journalists that the youth made bonfire on the roads and other strategic places in the town to register their anger.

 

One of the sources said, “The youths were angered by the nonchalant attitude of the monarch to the frequent deaths in the town.

 

The traditional ruler actually insulted the youth.”

It was learnt that armed policemen deployed to quell the protest met resistance by the protesters. The ensuing confusion forced a large number of shop owners to close, while market women hurriedly left the market in the town.

 

The protesters said the recent death of some indigenes of the town should be a source of worry to Adebayo. Some of the dead are Mr. Ebenezer Ayoade, a final year student of the Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti and Kayode Ajayi, a 200 level student of Psychology Department of the Ekiti State University. They were crushed to death by a truck on Valentine’s Day.

 

Three other indigenes of the town also died on Wednesday in an accident along Ikere-Ise-Emure Road.

 

The Chairman of Emure Local Government Area, Mr. Adewale Febisola, said on the telephone, that the youth did not protest at the council secretariat.

 

He said he met with them and appealed for calm. He added that the traditional councils would find spiritual solutions to the problem.

 

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi, confirmed the protest. He said peace had since been restored to the community.

 

He said, “The police are not against protest provided it is done lawfully. But we won’t allow any protest that can lead to the breakdown of law and order.”