Esa-Oke Killing: Widow Alleges Involvement of Wole Oke’s Aide as Adeleke Demands Justice
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state on Wednesday visited Esa-Oke in Obokun Local Government Area of the State to sympathise with the family of an Accord Party youth leader, Aderogba, who was killed in what has been described as a politically motivated attack.
The governor used the visit to condemn the rising cases of political violence in the state and accused security authorities of failing to bring perpetrators to justice.
Adeleke was received by members of the deceased’s family, as well as Accord Party leaders and supporters from across the Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency.
Speaking during the visit, the deceased’s wife, Mrs. Tolulope Aderogba, alleged that her husband’s killing was linked to a personal assistant to a federal lawmaker, Hon. Wole Oke, identified as “Omo Aje.”
According to her, a youth leader in the community, Fakunle Oladapo, had been speaking on the telephone with the aide shortly before the attack occurred.
She alleged that Oladapo informed her husband that the aide wanted him to meet Hon. Oke, an invitation he reportedly rejected.
“Fakunle told my husband that Omo Aje wanted him to come and see Hon. Wole Oke, but he refused. He said he would never leave the Accord Party or work with Wole Oke again,” she said.
Mrs. Aderogba further alleged that Oladapo continued to persuade her husband to honour the invitation when a Sienna bus conveying armed men arrived at the scene.
She claimed that despite sensing danger, her husband was discouraged from leaving the area.
“My husband was shot by men dressed in black suits. When the first bullet did not penetrate, Oladapo Fakunle removed the bag hanging on my husband’s neck. The men then fired another round of shots, which hit him. They also attacked him with machetes and other weapons. He died before we got to the hospital. After the incident, Fakunle fled Esa-Oke,” she alleged.
The widow also named six individuals she claimed were around the scene at the time of the attack, insisting that the incident occurred in the presence of both herself and her son.
Addressing residents and party supporters, Governor Adeleke called on traditional rulers across the state to speak out against political killings.
“The Commissioner of Police has refused to act on several attacks. I have forwarded videos and reports of recurring gun attacks and killings to the Inspector-General of Police. The people of Osun deserve answers,” the governor said.
He also disclosed that he had communicated his concerns to the Presidency over what he described as organised political violence in the state.
“I have reached out to the Presidency regarding the violence being unleashed on our people. Some APC leaders, including Wole Oke, Gboyega Oyetola and Bola Oyebamiji, are breeding thugs who are fomenting violence instead of seeking the votes of the people. The people of Osun will respond through the ballot box,” Adeleke stated.
The governor described party members who had lost their lives in recent attacks as heroes who would not be forgotten.
“Our fallen members are heroes of our struggle for democratic rights. They will not die in vain,” he said.
Adeleke urged his supporters to remain peaceful despite growing tensions and warned against taking the law into their own hands.
“Osun Accord has the capacity to defend and protect its members. We are not cowards, but we are waiting for security agencies to perform their lawful duties. I have consistently advised our members against self-help because law enforcement agencies have a constitutional responsibility to act,” he said.
The governor renewed his call on the Inspector-General of Police to review the leadership of the Osun State Police Command, alleging a failure to arrest suspects linked to political violence.
“The patience of our people is running thin. That is why I am once again calling on the Inspector-General of Police to reshuffle the Osun Police Command structure and address the refusal to arrest known suspects and political thugs,” he added.
While consoling the bereaved family, Adeleke promised government support for the children and immediate relatives of the deceased.
Describing the incident as “one killing too many,” the governor urged political parties and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The killing has been reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Esa-Oke.
Governor Adeleke was accompanied on the visit by top government officials and other state functionaries.