The
Head of the Vigilante Group in Ijebu-Igbo, Chief Tola Okuneye was shot dead
Sunday (April 6) morning by gunmen during service at Saint John’s Anglican
Church, Oke-Sopen, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State.
The
suspected killers entered the church auditorium pretending to be worshipers
reportedly walked towards the direction of Chief Okuneye, fired him on the head
and killed him.
Okuneye,70,
aka Ajagajigi, was until he was killed on Sunday, said to be the Chairman of
Oodua Peoples Congress(OPC) and Chairman, Police Community Relations Committee,
was shot several times by the gunmen who rode to the church premises in two
vehicles bearing Lagos colour around 11.00 a.m while the service was on.
The assailants fled the scene without taking anything from him while his remains has been deposited at a mortuary hospital in Ijebu-Igbo. Although Okuneye was rushed first taken to the state Hospital, Ijebu – Ode and then a private clinic but he was rejected in both places on the grounds that he had died before arrival.
It was gathered that the killers struck at the time the clergy, Rev. Oke, was about to mount the pulpit and there was an eerie air fear when the youths – all strangers, walked into the Church and headed straight to where Chief Okuneye sat, removed their short guns and fired him at close range.
A witness to The NATION said: There was confusion when gunshot began to sound. We were shocked and everybody was jittery as the service abruptly came to an end. Some people, especially the elderly one were still in shock as I am talking to you now.
Okuneye is a well-known man in the town and neighbouring towns. He was among the earliest artisans who was in the business of furniture making in Ijebu area here. There was confusion within and outside the church premises when gunshot rang out repeatedly and many were injured in an ensuing stampede, the witness told The Nation.
The assailants fled the scene without taking anything from him while his remains has been deposited at a mortuary hospital in Ijebu-Igbo. Although Okuneye was rushed first taken to the state Hospital, Ijebu – Ode and then a private clinic but he was rejected in both places on the grounds that he had died before arrival.
It was gathered that the killers struck at the time the clergy, Rev. Oke, was about to mount the pulpit and there was an eerie air fear when the youths – all strangers, walked into the Church and headed straight to where Chief Okuneye sat, removed their short guns and fired him at close range.
A witness to The NATION said: There was confusion when gunshot began to sound. We were shocked and everybody was jittery as the service abruptly came to an end. Some people, especially the elderly one were still in shock as I am talking to you now.
Okuneye is a well-known man in the town and neighbouring towns. He was among the earliest artisans who was in the business of furniture making in Ijebu area here. There was confusion within and outside the church premises when gunshot rang out repeatedly and many were injured in an ensuing stampede, the witness told The Nation.
Otunba Okuneye is survived by six wives and 20 children.
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