…As Gov Abiodun mourns, directs security agents to fish out killers
From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Abiodun Alamutu, has given insight into how the Director of Finance and Accounts attached to the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Taiwo Oyekanmi was shot and killed by suspected armed robbers on Wednesday, in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Oyekanmi was said to have been gunned down on top of NNPC Bridge, while coming from the bank where he had gone to make withdrawals.
He was said to have been rushed to the State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where he was pronounced dead.
Alamutu, reacting to the attack, on Wednesday night, said that the deceased, a driver and another person had left for Fidelity Bank to make some withdrawal in a homemade bullion van. The vehicle in which the duo was driving, according to the CP, was blocked on top of the NNPC Flyover by another vehicle carrying five persons who came down, shot at the director, and from their vehicle brought out a sledge hammer to force the receptacle where the money was kept open and left with it.
Alamutu said the government officials were supposed to have a police escort, but for certain reasons, the person was permitted to travel to attend to some issues.
“According to the story, after making the withdrawal, and on their way back to the office, they were accosted. A vehicle blocked them on top of the bridge, five occupants of the vehicle came down, shot at the director and from their vehicle brought out a sledge hammer to force the receptacle where the money was kept open and they left with the money.
“As at that time there was no information, the police escort was not with the team and they sped off.The driver claimed to have trailed them to a point along the Conference Hotel where he lost contact with them.
“The director that was shot was thereafter taken to Ijaye hospital where he eventually gave up the ghost.
“For our investigation, I have directed the Area Commander, to get to the bank and request for the CCTV footage which will give us insight into the vehicle in question and possibility of identifying the culprits if they ever ventured to step out of the vehicle or maybe they just maintained their position in the vehicle.
“I have reached out to Lagos and everywhere in the command to block all the exits out of the state,while we are trying to identify them because they said they were five and they used hoods.” The CP submitted in the statement.
Meanwhile, the Governor of the state, Dapo Abiodun has commiserated with the family of the slain director.
Abiodun, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, described the incident as a rude shock to him, as he called for prayers for the immediate family of the late director for them to have the necessary fortitude to bear the great loss.
“I was devastated and extremely shocked upon receiving news of the cold-blooded murder of Oyekanmi, in the hands of criminal elements and enemies of our State.
“It is indeed a colossal loss for our administration to have lost such dedicated, truthful, and diligent officials; his assailants have murdered sleep and will be flushed out immediately from wherever they might be hiding.
“I have directed all security agencies in the State to smoke the criminals out instantly and make them face the full wrath of the law. I therefore want to assure the entire workforce and residents in the state that never will such calamity befall our dear state again.
“I pray for the repose of his soul and for God’s protection over the family he left behind. Obviously, he is going to be sorely missed by his relatives, colleagues and the government he meritoriously served till death,” the statement read.
However, Abiodun who later paid a visits to the bereaved family, assured that the perpetrators would be fished out and brought to justice .
Abiodun also said that his administration would take full responsibility for the welfare and wellbeing of the family he left behind, and described the deceased as diligent,hardworking, honest,and God fearing.
He said that the Governor’s Office and the entire state workforce have been devasted by the killing, assuring that everything possible would be done to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“How could we imagine yesterday morning that we will be here this morning condoling with this family.
“We are all heavily burdened, the pain not describable. He left us asking questions since yesterday afternoon.
“Taiwo was very hardworking, very dedicated, diligent, honest, unassuming, a man who loved God, who served God, very humble. He was very concencious.
“Let me assure you that we will do everything within my power to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book.
“I will not leave any stone unturned until these criminals are arrested and dealt with; that much I also promise.
“I want to assure the members of his family, particularly his wife and children, that we will not leave you.
“We will take full responsibility for your welfare and for your wellbeing,” Prince Abiodun said.
He noted that the death of Oyekanmi was a painful reminder that life is a journey, adding that the deceased lived a life of impact, touched everybody, and is well respected by everyone.
Responding on behalf of the family of the deceased, his younger brother, Tayo Oyekanmi thanked the governor for the visit even as he said destiny has been sharttered, dreams cut short, not only in the family, but the entire Ifonyintedo community in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.
He urged the governor to unravel the people behind the killing in no distant time to assuage the pains of the family.