Daughter of 94-year old national leader of Pan Yoruba Socio-Political group, Afenifere, Mr Reuben Fasoranti, Mrs Funke Olakunrin was Friday shot dead by suspected herdsmen along Benin/Ore expressway.
She was said to be traveling along Benin/Ore expressway when she along with others ran into the barricade mounted by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The herdsmen have been terrorising motorists along the Benin/Ore highway in recent times. It was gathered that the assailants wanted to kidnap her alongside other occupants of the vehicle.
Reports have it that the suspected herdsmen abducted one of the occupants of the vehicle. The deceased, however, was unlucky as she was shot dead by the suspects.
It was learnt that the deceased was coming from Lagos and was on her way to Ondo town to commensurate with her mother’s family members (the Awosikas) when she met her untimely death.
Police authorities in the state confirmed the killing of the daughter of the Yoruba leader. Spokesperson for the command, Mr Femi Joseph said the command could not confirm whether it was Fulani herdsmen or armed robbers that attacked the vehicles along the road in which the deceased was traveling. According to Joseph, “three vehicles were attacked at Kajola along Benin/Ore in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
“There was a shootout between the suspected gunmen and police who tried to rescue the victims along the road notorious for accident and kidnapping.
“The three vehicles attacked by the assailants included a Land Cruiser SUV with Registration number AAA 147 KM, one Toyota Camry and one Young Shall Grow bus.
Joseph said “the person in the Land Cruiser was killed while eight persons were abducted in the vehicles. The police image maker said seven of the kidnapped victims were, however rescued by police. Joseph said ”one Gerald Ibuoyikha was kidnapped by the suspected herdsmen. The seven people injured and rescued, he said, were with the Police.
Speaking with our correspondent, spokesman of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin said “the action of Fulani herdsmen showed they have declared war on Yoruba land. Odumakin said the Yoruba would not take this anymore and people should expect reactions over the killing of a daughter of the Afenifere leader.
“The herdsmen have shot their AK 47 into the tinny rope that tied Yoruba and Nigeria together. We will not accept this.”
Also a statement issued last night by Afenifere said “We have confirmed the death of Mrs Funke Olakunrin (58), daughter of our Leader, Fasoranti.
The statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin tagged ”Afenifere initial response said “Eyewitness accounts say she died of gunshot from Fulani herdsmen who shot her at Ore junction in Ondo state.
“She was coming from Akure when armed Fulani herdsmen came from the bush to attack her and other vehicles.
Her domestic staff in the car with her sustained gunshots too.
“This is one death too many and a clear we- can- take- it -no-more death,” Odumakin said.
The spokesperson said that a comprehensive statement would be issued soon.
Meanwhile, a visit to the residence of Fasoranti showed that he was yet to be informed of the death of his daughter. The corpse of the deceased was reportedly deposited at the state specialist hospital in Akure late last night. Some leaders of Afenifere were seen milling around at the ljapo residence of their leader last night.
Vanguard
