Eko Hot Blog reports fresh details have emerged, revealing that the assailants responsible for the murder of the Olukoro of Koro in Kwara State, Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, strategized the crime in a local pub before executing the plot.
The retired senior military officer was fatally shot on Thursday night in his palace, with his wife and two others abducted.
According to sources in Koro, the assailants initially spent hours at a local pub, establishing a facade of normalcy by engaging in casual conversations.
To further their plan, they convinced a salesgirl from the pub to guide them to the royal palace under the guise of paying respects and discussing community matters.
A resident of Koro revealed, “The girl ignorantly led the three men to the palace to see the monarch and went back to continue her work at the joint.”
Monarch’s Immediate Brother Narrates Attack
Adelaja Aremu, the immediate younger brother of the slain monarch, shared a harrowing account of the attack.
The gunmen demanded the monarch’s compliance, instructing him to stand up and accompany them. However, Oba Aremu-Cole defiantly refused, leading to a fatal confrontation.
Adelaja recounted, “They (gunmen) came into the palace and met him (the monarch) and asked him to stand up. They wanted to abduct him. He refused to get up, saying that nobody could command him like that. He refused to take orders from unknown people, so they shot in the air to scare him, but he wasn’t afraid. Of course, they knew that they met a stubborn person and that was how they shot him.”
The assailants proceeded to abduct the monarch’s wife and two others, whose fate remains uncertain. The family has reported that the abductors are demanding a ransom of N100 million, with a 48-hour ultimatum.
Abductors Demand N100 Million Ransom
In a distressing turn of events, the abductors have communicated their demand for N100 million as ransom for the release of the kidnapped victims.
The family source disclosed that a 48-hour deadline has been set for the payment, with ominous consequences if the funds are not delivered within the stipulated time frame.
Leaders Condemn and Offer Condolences
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, extended condolences to the affected community.
Fagbemi called for collective prayers and efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, emphasizing the need for improved security in the state.
A former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, expressed shock and condemned the killing of Oba Aremu-Cole. Saraki urged the government to address the escalating insecurity in Kwara State and called for heightened security measures to protect lives and property.
The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, condemned the heinous act, pledging to deploy necessary resources to apprehend the perpetrators and secure the release of the abducted victims.
He expressed solidarity with the people of Koro and assured them of justice.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the Kwara State Government, Ekiti Local Government, and the people of Koro community over this loss and unfortunate incident. I am optimistic, and I call on all sons and daughters of Kwara State to join in prayers so that those behind the death, pain, and sorrow will not escape justice and people in their captivity will soon be set free. Once again, on behalf of all sons and daughters of Kwara South Senatorial District, I condemn this barbaric incident and pray that God allows the gentle soul of HRH rest in perfect peace.”
“These criminals must be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
As the investigation unfolds, the residents of Koro await the resolution of this tragic incident, hoping for justice and enhanced security measures to safeguard their community.
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