Gunmen attack 82-yr-old Fasoranti, Afenifere leader - AD, Ondo govt, others condemn attack

From Yinka Oladoyinbo, Idowu Samuel and Adewale Ajayi - 17.01.2008

NO fewer than 10 gunmen on Tuesday night attacked the residence of the acting leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Rueben Fasoranti.

The gunmen invaded the Ijapo, Akure residence of the 82-year-old at about 9.30 p.m. and inflicted cuts on his head and body. Narrating his ordeal to newsmen on Wednesday, Fasoranti said the people came into his house around 9.30 p.m. while he was watching the Network News on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

He said the invaders attacked his house and tied up his security men before gaining entry into the living room. According to him, upon gaining entry into the living room where he was watching the news, the gunmen demanded for money from him but he told them he had no ne.

The response, he said, irked the men who macheted him and inflicted cuts on his head and body. He said he lost a lot of blood before being rushed to a private hospital. Fasoranti added that the robbers had already invaded his daughter’s room before coming to attack him, adding that the lady used the alarm in the house to alert the police to the incident.

The Afenifere leader said, “I was in my room when they came and they said they wanted money and l told them l had no money in the house, so they attacked me and inflicted several bodily harm on me.

“They took hold of my two security men, beat them up and tied them to the post before they could gain entry into the house; those people are still lying critically ill at the hospital now. So, we are helpless, there is lawlessness in the land, there is nothing we can do.

“A lot of blood was shed and they hurriedly went away. I think they suspected that the police would be on their trail. They had already attacked my daughter’s apartment and then, she used an alarm to alert people in the house.

“I was taken to the hospital for treatment and this morning, I went to do an X-ray and I would go back to collect the result. “The police came and promised to investigate, but l do not see how they would do it. What I am saying is that police surveillance is not effective. There should be patrols. Something similar to this happened about four years ago.”

The Police Public Relations officer (PPRO), Mr. Adeniran Aremu, said some policemen had been drafted to the residence of the politician. He said investigation into the crime had already started. The Alliance for Democracy (AD) has expressed shock at the attack on Chief Fasoranti, saying that Nigeria was degenerating into a state of nature.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Salau, the AD said Nigeria had suddenly found itself in a situation where harmless old Nigerians were attacked with impunity by bandits.

The party called on President Umaru Yar’Adua to direct all security agencies in Nigeria to investigate and arrest the gunmen. The Ondo State government has also condemned the attack, describing it as unfortunate.

The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Mobilisation, Chief Eddy Olafeso, told the Nigerian Tribune that the attack should not have happened. According to him, Fasoranti was an elder statesman that should be respected in the state because of his contribution to its development.

Chief Ayo Adebanjo said “it is a dastardly action because what would anybody say he is struggling with him. It is condemnable and wicked. All his life, his attitude has been for the betterment of Yoruba people and he was never involved in politics of violence.”

Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa said “it is most cruel, most wicked for anybody to do such a thing to a gentle, easygoing person, who has served this nation in his capacity as a teacher. That person is bringing a curse on his head, and I wonder what this nation is turning to, it is very sad.”