3rd May, 2012
Armed robbers this morning raided Meiran area of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria and shot dead an 80 year old guard.
Police from Meiran Police Station said the robbers had snatched a jeep and were fleeing when they encountered the night guard, Pa Gabriel Oyinlola at Babatunde Street, Akitan, Meiran, who tried to resist them but was gunned down and thrown inside the gutter.
The police said they were able to recover the jeep from the fleeing robbers but none of them was arrested.
Residents told P.M.NEWS that they heard sporadic gun shots in the area around 2.00 am, only to wake up in the morning to see the lifeless body of the old man inside the gutter.
The police, who arrived the scene around 8.30 am, instead of taking the body of the deceased away, released it to the family.
A large crowd of sympathisers gathered at the scene of the incident, lamenting the loss of the guard, who had been very useful to the community as they described him as a brave man.
A resident in the area was quoted as saying that around 2.00 a.m, the voice of the old was heard telling people to remain inside their houses as robbers were around the area.
Pa Oyinlola resides at 19 Ilupeju Street, Akitan Meiran and had been on the night guard job for several years, according to the Chairman, Ifesowapo Eshilo Community Development Association, CDA, Elder Julius Ajiboye.
Ajiboye said the police assured that they were still carrying investigation on the matter and had released the slain guard to his family since they did not suspect any foul play.
He said the old man resisted the robbers, numbering about 12 but that they over powered him and shot him dead.
Vice Chairman of the Ifesowapo Eshilo CDA, Mr. Emmanuel Adekolu described the deceased as a hard working man who was dedicated to his duties, saying “he always wanted to do his job even in times of difficulties.
“Three years ago, he was attacked and injured, and the injury took several months to heal, but he was not deterred. He was a brave man and never showed any form of cowardice,” he said.
Baale of Eshilo, Emmanuel Oyetoro said the deceased “was a courageous, submissive and complete gentleman and brave. He was a good man.”
A relation of the deceased, Ishola Waheed, described the slain man as nice, saying that he never thought he could die like that as he and Pa Ajiboye had had a wonderful time the day before his death.
—Kazeem Ugbodaga