By Banji Ayoola
Governors Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Kayode Fayemi and Seyi Makinde of Ondo and Ekiti States on Saturday were at the Akure, Ondo State home of Afenifere National Leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, to condole with him over the killing of his daughter , Mrs Funke Olakunrin, by bandits.
Also, a former Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladesanmi Aladetoyinbo and Afenifere chieftains, among others were there to commiserate with the elder statesman.
Akeredolu who came twice with his entourage, described the murder as an ugly incident, and said that some measures must be taken to prevent future re-occurrence.
To him, Mrs Olakunrin’s death is a personal loss, as it is like mourning a relative whose life has just been cut short. He promised that government would brief the media adequately about the steps and measures to be taken very soon.
He also condoled with the husband of the deceased, Mr. Idowu Olakunrin.
Akeredolu, who cut short his trip to Lagos State, to make the condolence visit, was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo, and State APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, among others.
His words: “All of us are worried and there are some measures that have to be taken and we must prevent this.
“We must take whatever steps we want take to tackle this issue of insecurity in order not to allow this happen again. It is a personal loss to all of us. For now, it is like we are mourning a relative that has just passed on”.
On his own Ekiti State Governor described the death as a tragic loss not only to the family of the Fasoranti but to the YorUba nation and the country as a whole.
He promised that the Federal government would be called upon to do something very urgent about the insecurity challenges in the country.
According to Fayemi: “I know Mrs Olakunrin very well. As a matter of fact, she was with me three days ago before heading back to Lagos.
“So, it is a personal loss and tragic situation for us, and we all owe a duty to tackle this issue head long in order to rescue our people from this situation”
Also, Oyo State Governor prayed that Fasoranti would never again witness such a tragedy in his remaining years as he stressed the need for the entrenchment of true federalism in the country.
Makinde, speaking on behalf of the Government and People of Oyo State, said that there is need for Yoruba leaders, irrespective of their political or ideological differences, to unite and fight for the interest of their people.
Also, Mimiko described the incident as despicably disturbing and another very challenging situation in our country, saying there is need to collectively rise to this challenge.
He said: that incident such as this would task the fabric of the nation and would also require a very profound political will.
His words: “We must leverage on technology and we must definitely get to the root of this matter in the interest of our nation and in the interest of the economy.
“There is no doubt about this, that this is a reminder, a wake up call that we must confront this monster which is a major challenge.”.
Mrs Olakunrin, according to a statement by Afenifere spokesman, Mr Yinka Odumakin, who broke the news, was killed by suspected herdsmen on Friday.
He said that the 58-year-old woman was heading to Ore Junction from Akure, Ondo State, when she was attacked and shot allegedly by the herdsmen.
According to him: “We have confirmed the death of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin (58), daughter of our leader, Chief Fasoranti.
“Eyewitness accounts say she died of gunshots from Fulani herdsmen who shot her at Ore junction in Ondo State earlier today. (Friday)
“She was coming from Akure when the armed Fulani herdsmen came from the bush to attack her and other vehicles.
“Her domestic staff in the car with her also sustained gunshots.
“This is one death too many and a clear we-can-take-it-no-more death.”
