AKURE — A thick cloud of grief and palpable tension has descended upon the Agamọ community in Akure North, Ondo State, following the cold-blooded murder of their traditional ruler, Oba Kehinde Jacob Falodun, by suspected bandits.
The monarch was killed on Wednesday evening, February 18, 2026, after he bravely resisted an attempt by armed men to abduct him from his palace. The killing has sent shockwaves across the South-West, marking a terrifying escalation in the wave of insecurity currently sweeping through the nation’s rural heartlands.
The Fatal Resistance
The incident unfolded around 7:50 p.m. when a gang of approximately ten gunmen stormed the royal residence. According to harrowing accounts from palace sources, the assailants attempted to forcibly drag the monarch into the forest. When he stood his ground, the situation turned lethal.
Witnesses claim the gunmen opened fire on the traditional ruler, but in a chilling twist, the initial shots allegedly failed to penetrate him. The frustrated bandits then reportedly resorted to striking the monarch’s head with a heavy object before finally shooting him at close range. His lifeless body was discovered just a few meters from his compound.
“The King is Dead”—Nigerians Blast the Presidency
The murder of Oba Falodun has triggered a firestorm of criticism against the President Bola Tinubu administration, with many questioning why the “Renewed Hope” agenda has failed to secure even the most revered institutions.
- “Politics Over Lives”: Critics on social media have blasted the President for signing the 2026 Electoral Act just hours before the monarch’s death, while seemingly ignoring the cries for state police. “They have time for manual collation debates, but no time to stop bandits from entering a King’s bedroom,” one popular analyst noted.
- “The Luxury Disparity”: Many Nigerians pointed out the irony of the government spending ₦66 billion on luxury SUVs for officials while traditional rulers are left to face AK-47-wielding bandits with zero protection. “If a King is not safe, what hope does the common man have?” a resident of Akure lamented.
- “State Police Now!”: The incident has reignited furious demands for the full decentralisation of the police. Citizens in Ondo have urged the Federal Government to stop “sitting on” the state police bill, arguing that the Amotekun Corps needs sophisticated weaponry to match the firepower of modern-day bandits.
Security Forces on High Alert
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the killing on Thursday morning, February 19. Tactical teams, supported by the Amotekun Corps and local hunters, have been deployed into the Akure North forests in a desperate manhunt for the killers.
“We are combing the bushes and we will not rest until these criminals are brought to justice,” a police spokesperson stated. However, for the people of Agamọ, the “justice” comes too late for a monarch who stood his ground until the very end.
As of Thursday morning, the Presidency has not issued a formal statement on the Ondo monarch’s murder.
