SaharaReporters learned that the robbers, numbering about six, invaded the street where Mr. Oyewole’s house was located and unleashed terror on the residents.
Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers have killed a Chief Security Officer to the Ondo State Government Office in Akure, Idowu Oyewole.
Mr. Oyewole, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), was murdered by the gunmen at midnight on Wednesday on a street close to his residence located on Akure/Owo Express Road.
SaharaReporters learned that the robbers, numbering about six, invaded the street where Mr. Oyewole’s house was located and unleashed terror on the residents.
It was exclusively gathered that Mr. Oyewole was transferred from the Mobile Unit Department of the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force to man security at the government office in Akure.
Sources in the police command told SaharaReporters that the late police officer at times joined the convoy of Governor Olusegun Mimiko for official assignments within the State.
One of the sources who spoke disclosed that the late police senior officer was on a rescue mission to save his neighbors with the aim to chase away the armed hoodlums when a ‘targeted bullet’ hit him on the chest.
“He was exchanging gun shots with the armed robbers when the bullet hit him on the chest. I think the armed robbers knew he [Oyewole] stays in the neighborhood, and they firstly went directly to a street near his house just to create a scene for their arrival.
“A brave man in the next house had to sneak out and knocked his [Oyewole] door to notify him that armed robbers had arrived to unleash terror. Being an active senior police officer who belonged to the mobile police unit, he picked up his small pistol and went after the robbers who had already robbed nearly all the neighbors in the area.
“But sadly, Mr. Oyewole was caught while trying to take his position and he was fired with a bullet on his chest. Other members of the gang shot at his dead body in anger,” a colleague of the deceased told SaharaReporters.
On Thursday, several residents and sympathizers were in mourning when a SaharaReporters correspondent visited the street.
A young lady in the street who managed to talk under duress due to the intensity of the sad incident said the rampaging hoodlums also attacked a teenage boy.
Femi Joseph, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) in the State told SaharaReporters that the command has launched a manhunt for the murderers.
Mr. Joseph confirmed that the hoodlums were armed robbers and refuted claims that the incident had political influence.
“We are in a mourning mood and what I can only say is to send the command's condolences to the family of the late Mr. Idowu Oyewole,” the PPRO said.
"This is just a sad incident for the command because the deceased was a gallant officer who displayed so much professionalism in the conduct of his work and was disciplined to the core,” he added.
Other police sources hinted that the Police Commissioner, Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, would be paying a condolence visit to the family of the deceased very soon.
