A trader who was engaging in okada business in Ibadan, Oyo State was reportedly killed by some unidentified armed robbers at Baba Sala, Sango area of Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Tuesday evening.
The armed robbers were reported to have run away after felling the man who was identified simply as Afuye.
Afuye, who was also a trader, was reportedly seen lying dead in a pool of his blood having earlier struggled to free himself from his attackers.
An eyewitness, who gave his name as Tunde Slade, said, “The okada-rider is popularly called Afuye. On Tuesday evening, he was killed in an armed robbery attack when a two-man-robbery-gang snatched his motorbike at a gunpoint.
“He was shot while trying to resist their attempt to snatch his motorbike from him.
Afuye died immediately. He was seen in the pool of his blood after being shot while struggling with the robbers that attacked him few meters to his Ajegunle, Leventis residence.
“He struggled with two men who accosted him with another motorbike. One of them later overpowered him and collected his motorbike. He ran after them and raised the alarm.
“It was at that point that one of the robbers brought out a gun and shot at him at a close range.”
It was reported that the robbers eventually abandoned the motorbike beside the Oando Filling Station, Opposite Old Leventis Store as the motorcycle developed a fault.
A friend of the deceased, who identified himself as Akeem, said Afuye was on his way from Ogunpa in Ibadan where he was selling rubber footwear. He said he used the motorbike for commercial purposes in order to make ends meet.
Akeem added that “The wife of the deceased is presently pregnant and that’s was why did not inform her as she made efforts to find out the whereabouts of her husband.”
When called for confirmation, Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi, Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Command, said, “Information reaching me from the Divisional Police Officer, Sango, revealed that there was a call that an Okada rider was seen lying down beside his okada at Leventis area of Sango.
“In a swift response, the Division Patrol team moved to the area but nobody was found there. No official report from family members on the issue.”
He, however, said investigations were ongoing on the case.
