By Dayo Johnson

December 27, 2013 was like every other day for family of the Olikan elect , Adeleke Oyetakin, in  Ilaje council area of Ondo State, as they made preparations towards  January 1, 2013 celebration.

However, a tragic incident which changed the course of the day occurred and marred the new year. This was as a result of sporadic gunshots at about  6pm,  which truncated the tranquilized atmosphere.

The gunmen numbering 10, in a commando-like manner, stormed the Ode-Etikan compound, shooting indiscriminately and  in ensued stampede, members of the family scampered in different directions for safety.

But at the end of the shooting, 23 year-old  Oriloye Oyetakin who was hit by  bullet, died in the pool of his blood. Other members of the family whose identities were given as  Ademola Ikudehinbu and Reverend .Nelson Okunomo reportedly sustained bullet wounds while others who managed to escape, were  reportedly stabbed by the invaders.

Although the Ondo State Police Command said it had  arrested some suspected  members of the gang that sent  Oriloye to an  unprepared grave, but news making the round   had it that the invasion could not be unconnected to a chieftaincy squabble in one of the communities.  However, the question by many, is,  why  would  Oriloye, who only visited his home town to celebrate the Christmas and New year with his parents  be killed in order  to settle the score.

Late Oriloye

His  bereaved father, Oba elect, Adeleke Oyetakin, who still finds it difficult to come to terms with the demise of his first son, marveled at  the extent people could go to achieve their sinister motive, attributing his son’s death to  plot by his detractors to take his focus  off  the stool of his forefathers.

He  therefore, called on the federal and state government , as well as the Inspector-General of Police   to ensure that justice prevailed, stating  that some of the assailants  were still walking freely.

“All I  demand is justice. I want the perpetrators  of the killing to be brought to book. My late son was an amiable person who only visited  to celebrate with other members of the family. I am a peaceful person and will not want to take laws into my hand. That is why I am demanding for justice”, the Oba elect said.

He also, called on the  state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to hasten his installation as the traditional ruler of the town, noting that only then would sanity return to the land, since he has been chosen  through  due process.

Reacting to the tragic  incident,  the Caretaker chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Banji Okunomo described the attack and resultant  murder of Oriloye as “devastating, shocking and disturbing.Due to  the  unrealistic, self-seeking and  selfish ambition of some elements in the town, the dream of Oriloye has not only been shattered but his life  cut short”.

He said  that the killing was deliberate and was masterminded by those he described as   aggrieved people who lost out during the selection of the traditional ruler of the town.

According to him:” The enmity has been in the land for a long time after the selection of Adeleke as the Oba elect. I strongly believe that the installation of Oyetakin as the Oba would bring an end to these killings and lawlessness in the land. The selection process was fair and democratic.

MD Abubakar, Police IG

“Out of four kingmakers, three voted for Oyetakin and one against Oroyo. So what is the noise over the stool? I envisage more  security challenges if the Oba is not installed on time because we need a leader. And once the Oba is installed  this will naturally die down.”

He traced the genesis of the attack to the  outcome of the traditional  selection process, during which  a major contestant to the throne  lost out.

“This is the  second killing in the land since  the election  of the Etikan elect. First, elder Sheme was gravely beaten  after the election process. He  was beaten to a state of coma and unfortunately , died.  The perpetrators of the killing went unpunished, and that may have spurred t the killing of Oriloye Oyetakin.

“I want to stress that the installation of Oyetakin as the Oba will bring an end to these  killings and lawlessness in the land.

The Oba elect has been presented to the state governor. All that is needed now,is,  the state government’s  ratification and  presentation of staff of office to the new Etikan elect” he said.

Police authorities confirmed the arrest of some suspects over the murder of Oriloye, adding that the dragnets had  been spread to other parts of the state with a view to apprehending other  fleeing suspects.

The confessional  statement  of those arrested was however not known as Crime Guard was simply informed that investigation was   still on-going.

Speaking with Crime Guard,the  command’s spokesman, Adeniran Aremu, said “ the case is still under investigation at the state Criminal Investigating Department SCID.

Yes,the command is aware of the development and it is doing all it can to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing as well as to arrest other fleeing members  whose names were mentioned. That is all we can say now . We will communicate further development in due time”, Aremu said.