Gunmen shoot dead Lagos white-cap chief

Chief Kayode Adeshina

Some unidentified gunmen on Thursday shot dead a Lagos State prominent white cap chief, the Onimole of Lagos, Chief Kayode Adeshina.

The 73-year-old chief was shot at about 3am at his Onimole Palace, Iga Iduganran Street, Isale Eko on the Island.

It was learnt that as soon as the gunmen gained entrance to the palace, they went straight to Adeshina’s room where he was sleeping.

A daughter of the deceased, Oyinlola Ikuforiji, said, “My father was rudely woken up and a gun was pointed at him. He pleaded with the gunmen to spare his life but they demanded  money. He was shot when he told them that he had no money.”

It was learnt that Adeshina was subsequently locked up in his room while the gunmen ransacked the palace.  They reportedly carted away valuables including jewelries and phones belonging to the deceased.

The gunmen then locked up the entire house before making their escape. Adeshina was later rushed to a nearby hospital after the family members were able to break the doors open.

However, he was confirmed dead at the hospital.

The eldest daughter of the late chief, Mrs. Mosaku Aola, said the family could still not determine if what caused their patriarch’s killing was actually a robbery incident.

She said, “We cannot say for now if this is a murder or robbery. Subsequent investigation by the police should reveal that.”

The Lagos State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ngozi Braide, confirmed the incident toPUNCH Metro.

She said, “Adeshina was killed by some gunmen who broke into his house earlier on Thursday. After shooting Adeshina, they seized the phone belonging to one of his sons who was with him at the time.

“Arrests have already been made and investigation is ongoing to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book.”

But the Lagos State Government described the incident as unfortunate.

It wondered how the gunmen were able to carry out their mission successfully despite the security measures put in place across the state by government.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, said the government had urged the police command to fish out the killers.

He said, ‘This is unfortunate. It is a surprise that this incident happened now that we have relative peace and security in the state.

“The government  will support the police’s efforts to bring the perpetrators of this evil act to book.”