Chief Okuneye, aged 70, was until his death, the chairman of Ijebu North Police Community Relations Committee.
Chief Okeneye was allegedly shot dead yesterday by armed men suspected to be assassins during an early morning church service at St. John’s African Church, Oke Sopen, Ijebu-Igbo.
The late chief fondly called “Ajagajigi” was said to be a close maternal family member of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)in the town.
The gunmen stormed the church in two vehicles at about 11.00a.m. during service, went straight to where the late chief was sitting in company of others and was shot on the head.
Eyewitnesses stated that Okuneye’s assailants later fled from the scene, causing pandemonium among the congregation who ran for safety.
A member of the church, who spoke with Daily Sun on condition of anonymity, said: “The service was on when we noticed that some boys numbering about 10 armed to the teeth entered the church and headed straight to where Chief Okuneye was sitting and shot him on the head.
“It was the time our preacher was about to mount the pulpit. It was about 11.00a.m.
“We were shocked and everybody was jittery as the service abruptly came to an end. Some people,especially the elderly people were still in shock as I am talking to you now.
“The deceased was not a politician, if he was one,we would have thought that his political opponents carried out the deadly act. As I am talking to you now, the church has been deserted,except some few people who were with the Pastor.
“Otunba is not a politician, so his death could not be linked to any political assassination. What I can say is that the man has a lot of cases in various courts and from my little observation,we cannot rule out this area in his killing,but God knows best,” he said.
His remains have been deposited at the mortuary of the General Hospital, Ijebu-Igbo, while homicide detectives from the state police headquarters, Eleweran were said to have visited the scene of the shooting.
The state Police command’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi could not be reached for comment, but a senior police officer at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ijebu Igbo confirmed the incident, saying that the matter is being investigated.
“We are doing everything humanly possible to unravel the killing, but for now, we don’t want to jump to conclusion about why he was killed.
The matter is being investigated and I want you to get in touch with the state Police Public Relations Officer for further comments,” the senior police confided in the Daily Sun.
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