The Police Command in Ondo State says it has begun investigation into the killing on Wednesday evening of a prominent Owo indigene, High Chief Tunde Ilori, the Elewere of Owo.
Confirming the incident to newsmen in Akure, DSP Olufumilayo Odunlami, the Public Relations Officer of the Police Command, on Thursday, said the police had started investigation into Ilori’s murder on a farm land.
Odunlami said that following the report of the incident to the police by the Secretary to the Olowo of Owo, crack detectives were deployed with a view to apprehending the perpetrators.
According to the police spokesman, a chief from the Olowo’s palace, Chief Aladeseye reported the killing of Ilori at the station.
He said that Aladeseye reported that the Olowo sent some high chiefs to look into a land issue and when they were returning to the palace, four gunmen ambushed the party and shot at Chief Ilori and one other chief.
“Chief Elerewe died at the spot while the other chief is receiving treatment in the hospital,” Odunlami said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has vowed to fish out, and bring to book the killers of the high chief.
Akeredolu, represented by his deputy, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, gave the promise on Wednesday during a condolence visit to the palace of Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, the Olowo of Owo.
The governor assured of his resolve to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the culprits were brought to book.
“The governor sent us to come and commiserate with you. It is so painful. In your kingdom, the deceased was one of the most revered chiefs.
“We are here to pay our condolence. The Governor said we should assure you that we will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the culprits are brought to book,” Aiyedatiwa said.
Responding, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, the Olowo of Owo, thanked the governor for sending the delegation on a condolence visit within a short time.
“I was talking to him on phone and he showed his concern over this bad occurrence. He told me about his resolve to bring the culprit to book.
“I want to thank him for his concern. Chief Elerewe had complained about another family in respect of a farmland. They were dragged to Igbimo-Aleli.
“I raised a team of chiefs to go and do the inspection of the land and their report seemed to favour Chief Elerewe. I raised another team again and they went there today.
“Yesterday evening, someone called me and said that I should call the chiefs that there are reports of possible attack. Chief Elerewe was very dear to me, very close and very loyal. He carried his chieftaincy very well.
“We are appealing to the government to please dig deep so that we will find those behind this ugly incident. I thank the governor for his swift response and condolences,” the Olowo said.
