The wife of a slain Accord Party youth leader in Esa-Oke, Osun State, Tolulope Aderogba, has alleged that her husband was lured to his death and murdered in her presence and that of their son by suspected political thugs.
The allegation was made during a condolence visit by Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to the family of the deceased on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.
Speaking during the visit, Mrs Aderogba directly linked the killing to a personal assistant of a federal lawmaker, Hon. Wole Oke, identified as Omo Aje. She alleged that a youth leader in the town, Fakunle Oladapo, had been communicating with the aide before the attackers arrived.
According to her, Oladapo informed her husband that Omo Aje wanted him to meet with Oke, an invitation the deceased allegedly rejected.
“Fakunle Oladapo told the deceased that Omo Aje wanted him to come and see Hon. Oke, an invitation which she said the deceased declined, vowing never to leave Accord or work with Wole Oke again,” the statement quoted her as saying.
Mrs Aderogba further alleged that Oladapo continued to persuade her husband to honour the invitation and discouraged him from leaving the area even after danger appeared imminent.
Recounting the attack, she said, “My husband was shot by men in black suits. When the bullet did not penetrate, Oladapo Fakunle removed the bag on my husband’s neck and the men in suits then fired another round of shots which hit him alongside machete attacks and others. He died before we reached the hospital. Fakunle Oladapo then fled Esa-Oke.”
Reacting to the incident, Adeleke condemned the killing and accused security authorities of failing to stem political violence in the state.
“The Commissioner of Police has refused to act on several attacks, therefore, I have sent videos and several reports of such frequent gun attacks and killings to the Inspector General of Police. Osun people demand answers,” the governor said.
He also called on traditional rulers and security agencies to take urgent steps to halt the violence, warning that residents were becoming increasingly frustrated by the situation.
“The patience of our people is growing thin. That is why I am once again calling on the Inspector General of Police to reshuffle the Osun police command structure,” Adeleke stated.
The governor promised support for the children and immediate family of the deceased, describing the incident as “one killing, too many,” and urged political actors to ensure a peaceful campaign ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The killing was reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Esa-Oke, while investigations into the incident are expected to continue.
