By Evelyn Omotoye
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Eminent indigenes of Ondo town are still in shock over the death of a prominent business man and socialite, Chief Ope Bademosi as the police  launched a man hunt for the fleeing Togolese. .

The police said yesterday that it has declared the suspect identified by his first name Sunday who murdered his boss three days after he was brought from Ondo a wanted criminal.

The Hope also learnt that the deceased’s wife had gone to the bank when the cook carried out the dastardly act and only came back to find her husband in a pool of his own blood.

Police sources said the suspect had turned up the sound system to the loudest volume while he stabbed his victim on his chest multiple times.

“After committing the act, the suspect went to the toilet and pulled off his white cook uniform as it had been stained with blood.

“He also left the knife he used inside the toilet,” the police source said.

The source noted that the knife used in perpetrating the act signified that the suspect could be an ex-military man.

“Again, we went through his things and found some old pictures of him putting on a camouflage belonging to Republic of Benin military,” he added.

The suspect, after committing the act then ransacked the apartment and stole huge amount of money, valuables such as jewelry and a mobile phone.

The police, in a notice issued to declare the cook wanted, said actions have been taken to apprehend him.

The notice read: “At exactly 8:45am this morning, information got to the police via a phone call that a murder had occurred in an estate.

 Reports from the ancient town of Ondo spoke of disbelief and gnashing of teeth as the death which came as a rumour but later confirmed as real.

Many people who knew and benefitted from the late Lotin of Ondo kingdom broke down in tears as they recalled his philanthropic gestures.

Our correspondents observed that Bademosi’s death was the talk of the town with various versions of the circumstances surrounding his death being debated by sympathisers.

Speaking with The Hope in Ondo yesterday, the Head and chairman of the Bademosi family, Pa  Bademosi said the family was still reeling in shock over the incident.

Pa Bademosi, a former Chairman of Ondo West Local Government Area, described the deceased as leading light for the family and pride to the town within and outside the community.

“He was a point of reference to the household name and he had done us proud everywhere. He was our illustrious son, an icon of dignity and respect.

According to the Secretary of the family who is an Archdeacon in the Anglican Communion, Ondo Diocese, Ven. Ade Bademosi, described the demise of his cousin as an irreparable loss to the family.

“The death of Ope Bademosi came as a rude shock to us. Since the news broke on Wednesday, we have not been able to fathom how he could have just passed away like that.

“No doubt we have lost a rare gem. We lost Ope when most needed around. As a one big united family, his death is so painful to bear.

“Personally to me, Ope was a cool headed perfect gentleman, very respectful, resourceful and hard working. His father was my mentor and accommodated every family member. We had a very fine relationship.

“It is quite unfortunate that the insecurity in the country is too high, our borders are very porous and we don’t know what can happen to us any moment from now”, he groaned.

While lamenting the nature of the death of the deceased, he pleaded with the security agents to work harder to bring the evil perpetrator to book and also urged the government to restrategise to ensure safety of lives and property of the citizenry.