Security agencies are on the trail of gunmen who murdered the 23-year-old first child of the Olikan-elect of Itikan, in the Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State, Mr. Orioye Oyetakin.
The death of the prince who was killed on December 27 (last Thursday), was the second homicide in the community because the Regent of the the town, Elder Shem Omoreigha, was also murdered eight months ago by yet to be apprehended criminals.
Sources within the family told our correspondent on Thursday that they celebrated the New Year in sorrow and pains because apart from the murder of Oyetakin, some of them, like Rev. Nelson Okunomo, and Adewole Ikudehinbu,were seriously injured.
Recounting the incident during an interview with our correspondent on Thursday, the Olikan-elect, Prince Adeleke Oyetakin, explained that the crisis started in the community after the process which led to his emergence.
He alleged that some people who were dissatisfied with the electoral process, were behind the crisis that engulfed the town.
Oyetakin said, “The latest incident which led to the death of my son, started around 6pm on the fateful day at Ode-Itikan when the young man travelled home for the preparation of our family's annual social gathering slated for December 30″
He said the hoodlums invaded the community and started shooting sporadically until they got their target and shot him dead.
He said the remains of his deceased son had been deposited at the Igbokoda General Hospital's morgue while the matter was promptly reported to the police.
Oyetakin noted that some soldiers went to the town the following day of the incident to curtail the situation and in the process, took away some items which could be useful in the course of the investigation.
He lamented that loss of lives and property would have been avoided if the state government had presented him with staff of office immediately after he was elected by the kingmakers.
“If I had been presented with my staff of office and installed legally as the Olikan by the state government, this ugly situation would not have occurred,” he said.
Sources in the town said the situation became tense about eight months ago when some hoodlums invaded the private home of the regent and allegedly strangulated him to death.
It was further learnt that nobody had been arrested in connection with the murder of the late Omoreighe.
The Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mr. Aremu Adeniran, confirmed the development when our correspondent called him on the telephone on Thursday.
He said, “The incident actually occurred and the matter had been transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department for a proper investigation.”
