By Kayode Olabanji, Okitipupa

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The people of Igbokoda, in Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo State have called on the state Police Command to, as a matter of urgency, rescue them from an ex-convict, one Jerry Ikuepenikan, who has been terrorising them.
Residents of the community, who spoke with The Hope Metro lamented that they have been living in fear over incessant assaults from the man, urging the police to drive him out of the environment for their safety.
Our correspondent gathered that Ikuepenikan was sentenced to life imprisonment and to death by hanging by an Okitipupa High Court in 2013, for the assassination of one Chief Ikuemehinlo Sepeluwa from Oroto community, Ilaje land, but later received Government pardon with conditions in 2021.
45-year-old Ikuepenikan was reported to have attacked one Mr Iwatan Bamitale with a FM riffle at Jufemic Medical Clinic with the intention to commit another murder at Weke street, Igbokoda town.
An eyewitness who craved anonymity said he saw the convict approaching the man at gunpoint thinking that no one saw them.
He said: “The serial murderer quickly took Bamitale, who was on his way to his working place on his bike, asked him to get down and was walking behind him to a nearby corner so as to kill him,” he explained.
“Sometimes ago, the man, locked up all the shops on the street with arm and instructed them on when to sell and the time to remain indoors.
“It took the intervention of men of the Ondo State Police command as the man was apprehended and whisked away to the police headquarter in Akure.”
However, in the present case, a police source said matter had not been reported at the Igbokoda Division and no arrest had been made.