…as Gov Abiodun mourns, directs security agents to fish out criminals
Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The 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.