A lecturer with Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, Professor Yinka Olowojobi, has been shot dead at a relaxation centre in Iperu.
The development was confirmed by the spokesperson, Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola.
According to Odutola in a statement, Olowojobi was among three persons shot by gunmen, who invaded Ajadeh Event Centre on Sagamu Road, Iperu, about 9.20p.m., last Friday.
“The lecturer was taken to Babcock University Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead,” she added.
According to her, no fewer that eight men dressed in black and armed with guns emerged from an unknown place stormed the relaxing lounge and opened fire indiscriminately.
Olowojobi was said to have been shot on the chest for refusing to go away with them, while a manager of a car stand, simply identified as Dare and another yet-to-be-identified person were abducted by the armed men.
Odutola said: “A suspicious coincidence led the police to arrest one Awada Ishaya of Plateau State, who was employed two weeks ago, when the event centre was launched as a security man for further interrogation.
“The lecturer was taken to Babcock University Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Efforts are on to apprehend the culprits and rescue the kidnapped victims. Further update will be provided as the situation develops.”
Police, Ogun govt on trail of perpetrators —Varsity
Meanwile, the university in a statement by Dr. Joshua Suleiman, its Director of Communication and Marketing, said: “This came as a rude shock to the entire university community, which has been thrown into mourning. The Nigeria Police Force is investigating the act of utmost savagery by these suspected kidnappers.
“The law enforcement agencies in conjunction with the Ogun State government are reportedly on the trail of the perpetrators and more men and women of the security agencies have been deployed to ensure the maximum safety of lives and property in the entire axis of the state.
“Prof. Olomojobi, who began his career in Babcock University on April 1, 2011, was a vibrant personality, who gave his all to imparting knowledge and empowering young people of the university where he taught. He had his Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) from the Ogun State University (1985 -1990) and his Masters and Doctoral degree programmes (2006-2010) from the University of Liverpool and Lancaster University, England respectively.
“The university commiserates with his family, friends, faculty, staff and students at this time of grief and prays for God’s comfort and courage to bear the loss.
“We assure all our stakeholders: students, parents, host community, faculty and staff that Babcock University will continue to collaborate with all government security and local vigilance agencies to ensure the maximum protection of lives and property within and around the university environment.
“The partnership with our stakeholders over the years has yielded positive outcomes, and we will continue to explore greater collaborative endeavours to ensure a safer, learning, and living space for all.”
