Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has ordered immediate police investigation into the killing of a United States-based professor, Prof. Richard Idowu popularly known as Adeoriokin.
The departed who was also a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and former House Of Representatives aspirant, was reportedly shot and killed accidentally by local hunters at the 50th coronation anniversary of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyeyosin.
In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawal Rasheed on Sunday, the governor commiserated with the people of Ejigbo town and demanded that law enforcement agencies should investigate the cause of the incident and ensure that the law takes its cause.
The statement quoted the governor saying, “What happened at Ejigbo is really sad. I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased. I have directed an immediate investigation into the killings of Dr Richard Adeoriokin and the subsequent killing of his killer.
“Mr Governor further called for pre-emptive action by the security agencies to prevent any possible counter-attacks or eruption of violence in the ancient town following the sad incident.
“Urging families of the deceased not to take laws into their hands, the Governor has also dispatched a high powered delegation to visit Ejigbo and ensure restoration of calm while investigation continues.
“Members of the delegation include the Commissioner of Police, the State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, the State Commissioner for Information and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Security.
“I have also instructed the State Police Command to issue guidelines on usage of local guns. Such regulations will enhance safety and protection of the citizens especially at public functions”.
The deceased was a former aspirant into the House of Representatives for Ede/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency in 2019.
The incident which occurred on Saturday evening, according to eye witnesses overshadowed the 50th coronation anniversary of the royal father, for which the departed came from his base in the United States of America.
It was gathered that Idowu along with some other prominent sons of the ancient town went to a meeting in a part of the town after the coronation event.
As they were about leaving the venue of the meeting, the local hunters in the building were said to be shooting sporadically in celebration mood when one of them accidentally shot the party chieftain.
It was gathered that one of the security operatives attached to the deceased shot the hunter on the spot.
A Special Assistant to the deceased, Afeez Lawal, who confirmed the incident said the deceased died after losing much blood, as he did not get adequate attention.
“When we returned from the event where the governor was conferred a chieftaincy title, we headed to Ejigbo for the 50th-year coronation anniversary of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo.
“Immediately, after we left the party, we were almost set to go back to Osogbo, the king’s son, Oyeyode Oyesosin said we should go to his house along Inisha road, that they wanted to do brief meeting, so those that followed him home are Asalu, Timothy and himself.
“When he wanted to bid them farewell, the king’s son ordered the local hunters to fire gun to the air, unfortunately, one of the hunter’s gun was facing down, instead of him to fire to the sky, he fired the bullet downward, the bullet hit him (Idowu) on his leg, he fell, before we could rushed him to the hospital he lose a lot of blood before we got to the hospital,” he said.
