CITIZENS COMPASS —Gunmen, suspected to be armed robbers on Wednesday afternoon reportedly shot dead the Director of Finance and Accounts, attached to the Ogun State Governor’s office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi.
It was gathered that Mr. Oyekanmi was gunned down on top of the NNPC Bridge, along Oke-Mosan road, while returning from the bank where he had gone to make withdrawals in preparation for Thursday’s budget presentation by the governor.
He was said to have been rushed to the State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where he was pronounced dead.
Two top civil servants at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, who spoke with newsmen under the condition of anonymity, said the incident has thrown the Secretariat into a mourning mood.
Confirming the incident, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, said police are on the trail of the hoodlums.
“This afternoon, the accountant, the Director of Finance with the driver and one other person left for Fidelity Bank to make some withdrawals. They went with a homemade bullion van. They were supposed to have a police escort, but for certain reasons, the person was permitted to travel to attend to some issues, so consequently he was not part of the movement.
“According to the story, after making the withdrawal, and on their way back to the office, they were accosted.
A vehicle blocked them on top of the NNPC bridge, five occupants of the vehicle came down, shot at the Director and from their vehicle,
brought out a sledge hammer to force the receptacle where the money was kept open and they left with the money.
“As at that time, there was no information, the police escort was not with the team and they sped off.
“The driver claimed to have trailed them to a point along Conference Hotel where he lost contact with them.
“The director that was shot was thereafter taken to the State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where he eventually gave up the ghost.
“For our investigation, I have directed the Area Commander to get in touch with the bank and request for the CCTV footage which will give us insight into the vehicle in question and possibly identify the culprits if they ever ventured to step out of the vehicle or maybe they just maintained their position in the vehicle.
“I have reached out to Lagos and everywhere in the command to block all the exits out of the state, while we are trying to identify them because they said they were five and they used hoods.”
In a statement, spokesperson, Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola said,
“The Divisional Police Officer of Ibara Police Station, led a team of Policemen to the scene of Crime that occurred at the overhead bridge in Kuto inward Oke Mosan, Abeokuta. Following a report of a suspected armed robbery attack took place on November 29, 2023.
“The incident involved a mini bullion van belonging to the office of the Director of Finance and Administration, Governor’s Office in Oke Mosan Abeokuta.
“The bullion van, registered under the number X pilot 13, was transporting the Director of Finance, Taiwo Oyenekan, along with the driver, Olalekan Akintoye, and Peter Samson. The van was carrying an unspecified amount of cash collected from Fidelity Bank and Sterling Bank in Abeokuta. It is worth noting that the bullion van was lacking security escort at the time of the incident.
“During the attack, the bullion van was dangerously intercepted on the Kuto Overhead Bridge by yet to be identified five armed men.
“These suspects were armed with AK-47 rifles and were traveling in an unregistered silver Toyota Corolla, and suddenly they trapped the Bullion van by double crossing it.
“The armed men first interrogated the driver if they have rifles in the vehicle and specifically inquired about the identity of the Director of Finance. In a display of anger, the armed men fired shots at the front door of the vehicle, where the director was seated.
“As a result of the attack, the Director of Finance sustained bullet wounds on his thigh and private part, he was rushed to State Hospital, where he later gave up the ghost. The driver and other occupants of the robbery attack remain unharmed. At present, no arrests have been made; however, efforts are underway to apprehend the suspects who fled the scene.
“The incident is currently under investigation by Ibara Police Station, and will be transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police ,CP Alamutu Abiodun Mustapha is reassuring residents of Ogun State not to panic or fear as the situation is under control, operatives are working diligently to gather more information that will bring the perpetrators to justice.”
