A United States of America-based professor cum politician, Richard Adeoriokin, was accidentally shot dead at the weekend by a local security guard who was bidding him goodbye after an event in Ejigbo, Osun State.
The Nation gathered that the incident occurred around 8:30pm on Saturday on Inisha Road, Ejigbo when he concluded a public function and meeting with some of his political associates, including the son of Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oyeyode Oyesosin.
It was learnt that the son of the king after the political associates were done with the meeting at his residence, ordered that the local guard should fire gunshots into the air to bid his friends farewell.
However, one of the bullets hit the professor on his leg which resulted in his death.
A mob that gathered killed the guard on the spot.
Personal Assistant to Professor Richard, Afeez Lawal, who was also at the scene, explained that his boss, a lecturer at Prairie View A&M University, Houston, Texas and a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attended the ceremony where Governor Ademola Adeleke was conferred with a chieftaincy title and returned.
“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 are Ayodele Asalu, Timothy and Prof Richard.
“When the king’s son wanted to bid his guests farewell, he ordered the local security to fire gun to the air, as a gesture, but unfortunately, one of the security’s gun was facing down, instead to fire 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 aide confirmed that the body of the professor had been deposited in Osun State University Teaching Hospital morgue.
Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered thorough investigation over the killing of Dr Richard and one other as he condoled with the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin.
He directed law enforcement agencies to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident and ensure that the law takes its cause.
He further 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.
Adeleke urged families of the deceased not to take laws into their hands,
“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 usage of local guns. Such regulations will enhance safety and protection of the citizens especially at public functions”, the governor said.
Subsequently, the All Progressives Congress (APC) through its state chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, condoled Ejigbo over the killing of one of its prominent indigenes, describing the death as tragic and wicked.
