A generator repairer, Ayodeji Adesegun, aka Solution, has been allegedly killed by a local security guard in the Ijebu Igbo area of Ogun State.
The 24-year-old had gone to seek payment for a debt owed him by a woman who produced ponmo (cow hide) at the Odose Badejo area.
He was alleged to have parked his motorcycle by the roadside where the woman spread some of her wares.
The Ogun State indigene was leaving the area when he was allegedly accosted by the guard, who accused him of riding on the ponmo.
In the argument that ensued, the victim was allegedly shot in the chest.
Our correspondent learnt that policemen from the Ijebu Igbo division prevented a breakdown of law and order in the area as a mob attempted to lynch the suspect.
A source said the incident happened around 5.30pm on Friday.
He said, “The man was a generator repairer and he had a motorcycle. The woman who sells the ponmo owed him some money and he went to collect the money. He parked his motorcycle by the roadside where the woman put her wares.
“He was about leaving when the security man accused him of riding his motorcycle on the ponmo. There was an argument between them and the repairer was shot in the chest.
“There was confusion everywhere and people tried to mob the security man, but we stopped them. We called the police from the Ijebu Igbo division and their timely response saved the day. The policemen took the corpse away and they returned the following day to the area to make some arrests.”
The deceased’s wife, Mosunmola, who was in her mother’s house, said the victim was coming to visit her when he was killed.
She said, “We have a child together already and I am four months pregnant. I was sick and he said he would come to see me and give me some money to go to a hospital. He was a few houses to my place when he was shot dead by the guard. I am so confused I don’t know what to do. Please help me to get justice.”
PUNCH Metro gathered that the ponmo seller had been arrested, while the suspect’s father was also apprehended after the security guard escaped.
The duo were allegedly transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Eleweran.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident.
He said, “The man that fired the shot is a local security guard. He just came out from nowhere and fired at the deceased, who was a member of the Odua People’s Congress. Nobody is ready to tell us what exactly led to the shooting.
“The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, has ordered that the SCIID should take over the case and ensure the arrest of the suspect.”