Gunmen invade Ogun church, murder 70- yr-old man

ABEOKUTA — Pandemonium broke out, yesterday,
in Ijebu Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government Area
of Ogun State when gunmen invaded St. John
Anglican Church, Oke Sopein, and shot dead a 70
year old man, Otunba Tola Okuneye, A.K.A.
Ajagajigi.
Vanguard gathered that about 10 gunmen arrived in
two vehicles, entered the church and shot the man
on the head.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said: “When
the Pastor started his sermon around 11am, about
10 boys came in and went straight to where
Ajagajigi sat and shot him on the head.
“We were shocked and everybody was jittery as the
service ended abruptly. Some people, especially,
the elderly people, are still in shock as I am talking
to you now.
“No one can say anything about his death. He is not
a politician. If he were one, we would have thought
that his political opponents carried out the act. The
church has been deserted, except some few people
who were with the Pastor.”
A resident’s observation
A resident of the area said the death of the man
may likely be traced to some of those he has legal
matters with in court.
He said: “Otunba is not a politician. But he had
issues to settle with some people.
“I know that he has a lot of cases in various courts
and from my little observation we cannot rule out a
connection between those cases and this incident.”
The remains of the deceased, who is survived by
six wives and over 20 children, has been deposited
at Ijebu-Igbo General Hospital’s mortuary.
When contacted, the Ogun State Deputy Police
Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi
confirmed the tragic incident, saying investigation
had commen-ced to unravel the reason behind the
assassination.
Oyeyemi explained that it would be too early to link
the incident to politics, adding that an autopsy would
be carried out on the body.
Gov Amosun reacts
Meanwhile, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun
State has assured that government will do its best
to get the killers Okuneye.
Governor Amosun gave the assurance during a
condolence visit to the family of the deceased and
the scene of the incident.
The governor said: “The heinous manner with which
the life of a good citizen, who had invested in
security, was terminated is uncalled for.
“I don’t know why men of the underworld will
terminate the life of a man who will not hurt a fly.
They even went as far as carrying out the dastardly
act in the sacred house of God.
The governor was accompanied by the state
Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye; Director,
Department of State Services, Mr. S. Charanchi, and
members of his cabinet.
A son of the deceased, Gbenga Okuneye and
Presiding Bishop, St John’s Anglican Church, Oke
Sopein, Ijebu Igbo, Rt. Rev. Gbetogo Kuponu,
thanked the governor for the visit and concern.