Ekiti monarch dies from shock days after 15 residents died

Barely six days after a trailer crushed 15 persons to death in Iworoko Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun local government area of Ekiti State, the monarch of the town, Oba Michael Oluwafemi Aladejana, has allegedly died from a shock.

Aladejana, who was an octogenarian, died in the early hours of Wednesday at an undisclosed hospital in Ado Ekiti, where he was receiving treatment.

A trailer carrying a branded rice of Senator Tayo Alasoadura, who represents Ondo Central, on Saturday, January 12 rammed into a night market leaving 15 persons including a yet to be identified youth corps members dead and four others fatally injured.

An indigene of the town, who pleaded anonymity, said the accident that claimed 15 lives and injured four led to the sudden collapse of the health of the second class traditional ruler, adding that efforts to revive him proved abortive.

“Our monarch was rushed to the hospital after the accident. Though he had been having health issue before that incident really made the situation worse for him.

“When the news got to the town, he was said to have felt so devastated and the family had to rush him to the hospital early on Sunday.

“The sickness was said to have improved on Monday before it relapsed on Tuesday causing his untimely death”, the source said.

When newsmen visited the town around 12noon, the traditional rites had already begun with the cutting of the trees and blockage of the dual carriage Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki highway as a way of paying last respect to the departed king.

The youths and other age groups also trooped to the streets, killing house pets like goats and sheep sighted roaming about as tradition demands.