Oyo chief dies of gunshot wounds

By Adebayo Waheed and Adeolu Adeyemo - 19.02.2009

THE Mogaji Atingisi of Oyo town, Alhaji Rashidi Adebayo Salawu, who was shot by suspected assailants on Sunday night, is dead.

The 70-year-old man died on Tuesday night at the University College Hospital (UCH) shortly before operations could be performed on him.

The man, according to reports, was shot by a man on motorcycle before he was rushed to the hospital by Prince Ajibola Atanda.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ms. Olabisi Okuwobi, had confirmed the shooting of Mogaji Atingisi but could not confirm his death.

He was buried on Wednesday in Oyo town according to Islamic rites.

Speaking with newsmen on the demise of the deceased, a community head in Oyo town, Chief Lasisi Ayankojo, said “Atingisi’s death is very unfortunate, especially to those of us who have been target of similar attack in the past.

“We now live in fears in Oyo because of the fact that cases of murder in the town, especially that of Ashipa of Oyo, Alhaji Amuda Olorunkosebi, have been swept under the carpet.”

He, however, said his death was shocking and unexpected, while calling on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, to fish out the killers.

“We implore the IG, through the Commissioner of Police in the state, to help us fish out the perpetrators of these heinous crimes,” he said.