The Osun State Police Command has arrested a son to the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Oyeyode Oyesosin, Prince Eniola Oyeyode over the death of a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, Richard Idowu, popularly known as Adeoriokin.
A statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola on Sunday, revealed that Eniola ordered his guard to test his double barrel gun before the guard shot Idowu, a United States-based lecturer.
It read, “The Osun Police Command is using this medium to inform the general public that the Command is aware of the incident of shooting that occurred at Ejigbo which led to the death of one Dr. Richard Adeoriokin.
“The incident occurred on 27/1/2024 at about 9:48 pm after the 50th Coronation Anniversary of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Oyeyode Oyesosin where one Prince Eniola Oyeyode ‘m’ of Ejigbo instructed one of his civilian guards named Hammed Abdul Jelili ‘m’ of Ejigbo to fire his double barrel gun into the air to confirm if the gun is in good condition or not, but instead shot directly at the victim and he was rushed to a hospital but confirmed dead by the doctor.
“Meanwhile, the prince Eniola Oyeyode who gave the order to his civilian guard to fire the gun has been arrested and detained.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Bzigu Dali Kwazhi, mni, therefore appeals to members of the public especially the residents of Ejigbo to remain calm as discreet investigation has commenced immediately.”
The United States lecturer and politician, Adeoriokin, was accidentally shot dead by a local security guard in Ejigbo, Osun State.
The incident occurred around 8:30 pm on Saturday, following a public function on Inisha Road of Ejigbo, which was attended by Adeoriokin, his political associates, and Oyeyode Oyesosin, the son of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo.
After the event at the king’s residence, Oyeyode Oyesosin invited his friends to his house for a brief meeting.
As the guests prepared to leave, he ordered the security guard to fire gunshots into the air as a farewell gesture.
Tragically, one of the security guard’s guns was mistakenly aimed downward, and the bullet struck Adeoriokin in the leg.
Despite efforts to rush him to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries at the Baptist hospital in Ejigbo.
Adeoriokin’s personal assistant, Afeez Lawal, who witnessed the incident, shared that his boss was a lecturer at Prairie View A&M University in Houston, Texas, and a chieftain of the PDP.
He said, “We headed to Ejigbo for the 50th coronation anniversary of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo. Immediately, after the event, we were almost set to go back to Osogbo, the king’s son, Oyeyode Oyesosin said we should go to his house along Inisha road for a brief meeting, so those that followed him home Ayodele Asalu, Timothy and Prof Adeoriokin.
“When the king’s son wanted to bid his guests farewell, he ordered the local security to fire guns to the air, as a gesture but unfortunately, one of the security’s guns was facing down, instead of firing to the sky, he fired the bullet downward, the bullet hit Professor on his leg, he fell.
“Before we could rush him to the hospital, he had lost a lot of blood. He gave up the ghost at the Baptist Hospital in Ejigbo.”
The remains of the don have been deposited in Osun State University Teaching Hospital Morgue, the aide confirmed.
However, Osun State Governor, Adeleke has directed law enforcement agencies to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident.
The governor also offered his condolences to the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyosin, and called for pre-emptive action by the security agencies to prevent any possible counter-attacks or eruption of violence in the ancient town following the sad incident.
He said, “What happened at Ejigbo is really sad. I extend my condolences to the families of the deceased. I have directed an immediate investigation into the killings of Dr Richard Adeoriokin and the subsequent killing of his killer.
“I have also instructed the State Police Command to issue guidelines on the usage of local guns. Such regulations will enhance the safety and protection of the citizens, especially at public functions.”
The professor had attended a ceremony where Governor Ademola Adeleke was conferred with a chieftaincy title earlier that day.
The All Progressives Congress through its state chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, expressed condolences over the tragic incident and urged the Police Authority to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
