Esa-Oke Killing: Widow Accuses Wole Oke’s Aide as Adeleke Demands Justice

 

By Abdulahi Musa 

Governor Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday visited Esa-Oke in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State to commiserate with the family of an Accord Party youth leader, Aderogba, who was allegedly killed by suspected APC thugs.

During the visit, the deceased's wife, Mrs. Tolulope Aderogba, gave a chilling account of the circumstances surrounding her husband's death, directly accusing a personal aide to former lawmaker, Hon. Wole Oke, popularly known as Omo Aje, of playing a key role in the events that led to the killing.

According to her, a community youth leader, Fakunle Oladapo, repeatedly pressured her husband to honour an invitation purportedly extended by Hon. Oke through his aide. She alleged that her husband rejected the invitation and insisted he would neither abandon the Accord Party nor align with Wole Oke politically.

Mrs. Aderogba further claimed that while Oladapo continued persuading her husband, a Sienna bus carrying armed assailants arrived at the scene. She alleged that six known APC thugs were present during the attack, which occurred in the presence of both herself and their son.

Recounting the incident, she stated that armed men dressed in black initially shot at her husband, but the bullet failed to penetrate. She alleged that Oladapo then removed a bag hanging on the deceased's neck before the attackers fired again, fatally wounding him and inflicting machete injuries.

“My husband was shot by men in black suits. When the bullet did not penetrate, Oladapo Fakunle removed the bag on my husband's neck and the men in suits then fired another round of shots which hit him alongside machete attacks. He died before we reached the hospital,” she said.

Addressing mourners and party members, Governor Adeleke condemned the killing and accused Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of failing to take decisive action against recurring political violence in the state.

The governor disclosed that he had forwarded reports and video evidence of attacks to the Inspector-General of Police and had also drawn the attention of the Presidency to what he described as orchestrated violence against his supporters.

Adeleke accused prominent APC leaders, including Hon. Wole Oke, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, and former Commissioner for Finance Bola Oyebamiji, of allegedly fostering political thuggery in the state.

He urged traditional rulers and community leaders to speak out against politically motivated killings and warned that continued inaction by security agencies could further heighten tensions.

The governor, however, appealed to residents and political supporters to remain peaceful ahead of the August 15 elections, assuring the bereaved family of government support for the welfare and education of the deceased's children.

The incident has been reported to the Esa-Oke Divisional Police Headquarters, while investigations are expected to continue.

Governor Adeleke was accompanied on the visit by senior government officials and political leaders.