The Ondo State Police Command, said it has arrested one Chief Moses Adeyemo, for allegedly shooting two persons during a traditional festival, popularly known as ‘Ajagbo’, in Ogbagi Akoko community, Akoko North-West Local Government Area of the state.
Adeyemo allegedly committed the act while the youths of the community were singing songs around the town to reprimand and mock any indigene who had engaged in any form of vices, in line with the festival’s rites.
A police source narrated that when the youths got to the house of the suspect, he shot into the air sporadically to disperse the youths.
The Hope Metro gathered that two of the youths were hit by stray bullets, but the source stated that the victims survived it as they were quickly rushed to the hospital
Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmi Odunlami, who confirmed the incident and the arrest, said the matter had been transferred to the command’s headquarters in Akure.
“The matter has been transferred to Akure for further investigation,” the PPRO stated.
Speaking with The Hope Metro via phone call, one of the victims, Jacob Eniola Adewumi, alias Adalailu, said the suspect shot him on his left leg on the fateful day.
He narrated, “Every year, we celebrate an annual festival in our town, called ‘Ajagbo’. And usually, during the celebration , youths in our community will dance round, and go to the house of whoever has committed any wrong or does anything bad like adultery, stealing etc. So, we would go to the person’s house, singing songs to reprimand the culprit.
“But on this particular occasion, myself and some youths of the community were coming from the palace and heading towards the house of a popular High Chief in the town, known as Jogunomi, because he said we should come and play in his house.
“Meanwhile, some people in our town had alleged the suspect, who is a 70-year-old farmer in our community, known as Baba Moses Sajowa Adeyemo, alias Onifila gogoro, of committing adultery with a woman.
“We were just coming from Chief Jogunomi’s house and yet to be in Baba Sajowa’s house, when he fired shots seven times. And it was the last bullet that hit my left leg and broke my bone.
Also, the victim’s brother, who identified himself as Sunny Sarafa, corroborated his the victim’s story that the suspect shot at his brother’s leg in his presence.
“He shot seven times. It was the seventh one that hit my brother. And we rushed him to the General Hospital, in Oka Akoko, and we later reported the case at ‘A’ Division, Ogbagi Akoko.
“We also reported to the Kabiyesi in the palace. So, he said the case is already being handled by the police.”
