Dayo Johnson Akure.

THERE seems to be no end to the rapacious activities of suspected Fulani herdsmen across Ondo state.

A minor disagreement between a youthful and prominent member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, Victor Ajisafe and a suspected Fulani herdsman at the lbadan garage along Road Block in Akure metropolis, Ondo state resulted in his untimely death last Sunday.

Victor Ajisafe, NURTW member stabbed to death by fulani herdsman in Ondo

Reports had it that the incident remained unbelievable to members and leaders of the Union as what led to the unfortunate incident started like a joke. In fact an eyewitness informed Vanguard that they saw the suspect pursuing the victim in the open garage and they never suspected he would stab him.

The deceased who is 34 years old and hailed from Ondo town was said to have uttered some uncomplimentary remarks about the suspect. A friend of the suspect, Usman Olaniyi, who understands and speaks Hausa reportedly interpreted what the deceased said and hell was let loose.

The interpretation drew his anger and he allegedly ran after the deceased and on catching up with him drew out his dagger and stabbed him on the neck.

The suspect whose identity is still unknown even to the state police command fled and had disappeared into the thin air since last Sunday when he committed the crime. The state police command had therefore declared him wanted.

An eyewitness informed Vanguard that “It was one of the Fulani’s friends named Usman Olaniyi that told the killer in his native language that Victor was abusing him. This annoyed the Fulani and he drew his sword from the sheath. He started pursuing him around the garage and when he caught up with him, without hesitating, he stabbed him viciously on the neck.”

The source added that Olaniyi was among those who rescued Victor and rushed him to the hospital, where he finally gave up the ghost.

Meanwhile, the family of the deceased have cried out over the death of their breadwinner and asked that justice be done.

His wife, Oluwatoyin Ajisafe said she could not fathom why her husband was “gruesomely murdered by the unknown Fulani man”. Oluwatoyin said she was in her house at Ijapo Estate when her brother-in-law, Dapo asked her to join him at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure.

“It was my husband’s brother who informed me that one Fulani stabbed my husband on the neck and was rushed to the hospital. When I got there, my in-laws and friends did not allow me to see him despite all my efforts. They later took me back home under the guise that we should be looking for money to take proper care of him. It was when they took me to my mother’s shop at Road Block that they then broke the news that he was dead,”

Fulani-herdsman

She urged the state government and security agencies to ensure that the killer was apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.

“We appeal to government and the police to quickly arrest the Fulani man who killed my husband in his prime. He must face the dire consequences of his actions so that we can also get justice too,”she said.

She told Vanguard that her life was shattered as the life of the breadwinner of the family has been cut short at his prime age. “Where do we start from now. My husband who takes care of me and the children and his family members has been killed by a Fulani man. Justice must be done on this matter.

“The blood of my husband will avenge his death. I learnt that the killer has run away but God will intervene in this matter.

The mother of the deceased, Mrs Ajoyo Ajisafe said that she was in Jos, Plateau State, where she always goes to buy yam for sale, when her daughter-in-law called her that her son was dead.

Ajoyo said she abandoned her wares immediately to come back home, but was told that his son had been referred to the Trauma Centre in Ondo, their hometown.

“It was after I was cajoled to our hometown in Ondo that they finally told me the truth that my son, Victor Ajisafe is dead,” she said.

Police image maker, Femi Joseph who confirmed the death of the commercial driver said that Usman, the friend of the suspect had been arrested and that a manhunt for the killer fulani herdsman was on.

The command, according to him had commenced thorough investigation into the matter.S

Joseph said that Usman, who fuelled the crisis would be charged to court if his friend could not be found.