The Mobile Police Officer in charge of
the convoy of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, DSP Idowu Oyewole, has
been shot dead by suspected armed robbers in Akure, the state capital.
It was learnt that
45-year-old Idowu, a father of three, died between Wednesday and Thursday after
a three-man armed gang invaded the Sango area along Akure-Owo Road, where the
policeman lived.
It
was gathered that the robbers had attacked neighbouring houses at about 8pm on
Wednesday and Idowu had gone out with his service pistol to dislodge the
robbers.
It
was learnt that the robbers exchanged fire with the governor’s aide, and he
escaped from the scene with gunshot injuries.
It
was gathered that the officer was not seen until on Thursday when residents
found his lifeless body on the ground.
He
was said to have died as a result of the gunshot injuries he sustained during
the shootout with the robbers.
The
incident had thrown the family members and the Ondo State Police Command into
mourning, adding that the police were on the trail of the killers.
The
deceased’s son, Dare Oyewole, said that his father was taking his dinner around
7.30pm on Wednesday when news filtered in that some robbers were operating in
the area.
Dare
said his father immediately picked his service pistol and went out to engage
the gunmen.
He
said, “One of our neighbours came to inform my dad that there were robbers in
the area. He then took his service pistol and followed the neighbour.
“We
learnt that on sighting my dad, the robbers exchanged fire with him.
“He
was injured in the process and he withdrew from the scene. We found him dead on
Thursday.”
Another
neighbour said Idowu had asked his family members to lock the door of the house
before he went out to confront the robbers.
He
said, “Idowu stayed on the outskirts of Akure, in the Sango area. When he left
the scene after sustaining injuries, nobody knew his whereabouts until the
morning when we saw his corpse on the ground.”
A
source said the gunmen also tried to “kidnap the victim’s family.”
He
said, “The gunmen entered the governor’s aide’s house and took a four-year-old
boy hostage.
“They
ordered his wife to open the door to the main house, but the door was not
opened. After moving around the compound for about 30 minutes without gaining
access into the house, the hoodlums left.”
The
Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, confirmed the killing,
adding that the command had begun investigation into the incident.
Joseph,
who noted that Idowu was attached to the Mobile Unit of the command, said the
late policeman was a hardworking and disciplined officer.
“He
was a disciplined officer. Our hearts are heavy,” the police spokesperson
added.
Source:The
Punch
Tags
Society