The traditional ruler of Agamọ Community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Kehinde Falodun, has been killed by suspected bandits.
Sources in the community said the monarch was attacked on Wednesday evening when armed men stormed his palace in an attempt to abduct him. The attackers were said to be about 10 in number.
It was gathered that the monarch resisted the abduction attempt, leading to a violent confrontation. A resident alleged that the assailants shot him several times, but the bullets did not penetrate his body.
The source added that the gunmen then reportedly hit the monarch’s head with a heavy object, killing him on the spot.
Confirming the incident on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, Abayomi Jimoh, said an investigation had begun and security operatives had launched a manhunt for the suspects.
Jimoh stated that the monarch’s body was later discovered a few metres away with gunshot wounds, and he was confirmed dead at the scene.
He explained that the Divisional Police Officer, along with tactical teams, was immediately deployed to the area in collaboration with local security groups.
According to him, operatives of Amotekun, local hunters, and Atuluse Security also joined in combing nearby bushes and surrounding communities in a bid to arrest the attackers.
The police spokesman said surveillance and monitoring had been intensified across the area to prevent further attacks, assuring residents that those responsible would be brought to justice.
The killing occurred weeks after suspected bandits attacked Ayede Community in the same local government area and abducted a pregnant woman, Mary Jesulayomi, who was later released after a ransom was reportedly paid.
Following that incident, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, arrested 12 suspects linked to bandit activities in the area.
Residents have expressed growing concern over the worsening security situation in Akure North and have urged security agencies to step up efforts to restore peace in the affected communities.
