An okada rider, Sarafa Ayuba, 22, has been found dead at Amuloko, ibadan in Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Sarafa, a commercial motorcyclist, was said to have committed suicide by hanging in an uncompleted building beside his uncle’s house at Amuloko, on Friday.
It was learnt that the young man was the only son of his late father.
Nike, his mother, who later arrived at the scene of the incident, was said to have wept uncontrollably. She claimed that her son was manipulated to commit suicide by evil forces.
Sarafa’s uncle, Mr. Kazeem Tijani, said he became jittery that having left home since morning on Thursday, he did not set his eyes on the deceased up till bedtime.
Kazeem said, “We called his telephone line to trace his whereabouts. It was eventually traced to an uncompleted building where his body was found hanging. The mobile telephone was in his pocket.”
Two black plastic bags were seen on the floor with his pair of sandals.
According to an eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, other items found in the bag where he was found dead are a white garment (Jalamia), two perfumes, a new white singlet, chin chin, biscuits and other personal effects with a white handkerchief used as a face mask.
Kazeem said, “Ayuba got the motorcycle on hired purchase basis and was paying regularly.
He was not known to be indebted to anyone and he was not starving at all. He was not married. He had been living with me for the past two to three years. He was working with me before he got an Okada.
“We searched his room but we could not find any suicide note. I have called our family members at Apomu.”
Oluwatosin James, Chairman, Association of Commercial Bike Riders in Amuloko area, described Ayuba as a very cool headed and easygoing person.
James said, “The news of Ayuba’s death came to us as a rude shock. We heard of the news at the Park. He was very reticent and would not fight anybody.
“Once he did his okada business in the morning, he would go and park and go to his uncle’s shop to assist him. He got the motorcycle on instalment for N390,000 and had almost completed the payment as the balance remains just N77,000.
“There was no known issue of threat to him, so, we are confused over this sad incident.”
As of the time of filing this report, it was learnt that traditional worshippers were finalising arrangements to perform rituals before his body could be brought down from where it was hanging.
As of the time of filing this report no information could be obtained from the police.
