Gunmen have shot dead 37-year-old councilor representing Ado Ward 9 at Ado Local Government Council, Deji Akeredolu.
Akeredolu was on his way home at the Onala area of Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Friday night when the incident happened.
Akeredolu and his wife were said to have alighted from a motorbike at the junction to their house at about 10pm when the gunmen struck and fired shots at him from the back.
The victim was among the elected local government officials suspended by Ekiti State House of Assembly a fortnight ago. He was also said to be a personal assistant to the Peoples Democratic Party deputy governorship candidate in the July 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, Deji Ogunsakin
His traumatised wife, who shouted for help, was said to have fainted shortly after.
Although she was revived, she is still said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the state capital, as she fainted again on Saturday when her husband was being buried.
A source at Onala said on Sunday that the assailants, who were waiting at the junction in a Camry car, opened fire on the unsuspecting victim who was reportedly shot at twice.
The source said: “After the gunshots, the first thing we noticed was that the Camry car that had been parked at the junction sped off recklessly. Next was the shout for help by the wife.
“We rushed to the scene and found the councilor in a pool of his blood. We rushed him to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.”
The victim’s father, 72-year-old retiree, Jacob Akeredolu, who said policemen from Okeila Division in Ado Ekiti brought the corpse of his second son to his house at the Bojuri area of the state capital on Friday night, said the slain son had been buried on Saturday.
The father, who described the slain son as breadwinner of the extended family, said: “Deji was an easy-going, kindhearted and loving son. I don’t know why this should happen.”
The PDP deputy governorship candidate, Ogunsakin, who spoke with journalists on phone, said the killing of the aide was a sad development, as he decried the security situation in the state at present.
He said: “The crime rate in the state is at alarming rate. Within a week, no fewer than four different killings of innocent people by bandits have occurred. The state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, should ensure the situation is tackled.
“I am also calling on the Commissioner of Police, Bello Ahmed, to address the situation, as Ekiti is no longer safe for the residents,” Ogunsakin said.
When contacted on phone on Sunday, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Caleb Ikechuwu, said he had not been briefed.
Ikechukwu said: “I’m yet to be briefed. Once I am briefed, I will let you know.
“I am not telling you that I am not aware, but I am yet to be properly briefed.
“This is my response as the PPRO of the state command.”
Dammylink