Suspected robbers kill Mimiko’s security aide

The Mobile Police  Officer in charge of the convoy of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, DSP Idowu Oyewole, has been shot dead by suspected armed robbers in Akure, the state capital.

TOBILOBA learnt that 45-year-old Idowu, a father of three, died between Wednesday and Thursday after a three-man armed gang invaded the Sango area along Akure-Owo Road, where the policeman lived.

Our correspondents gathered that the robbers had attacked neighbouring houses at about 8pm on Wednesday and Idowu had gone out with his service pistol to dislodge the robbers.

It was learnt that the robbers exchanged fire with the governor’s aide, and he escaped from the scene with gunshot injuries.

It was gathered that the officer was not seen until on Thursday when residents found his lifeless body on the ground.

He was said to have died as a result of the gunshot injuries he sustained during the shootout with the robbers.

Sources told our correspondents that the incident had thrown the family members and the Ondo State Police Command into mourning, adding that the police were on the trail of the killers.

The deceased’s son, Dare Oyewole, told one of our correspondents that his father was taking his dinner around 7.30pm on Wednesday when news filtered in that some robbers were operating in the area.

Dare said his father immediately picked his service pistol and went out to engage the gunmen.

He said, “One of our neighbours came to inform my dad that there were robbers in the area. He then took his service pistol and followed the neighbour.

“We learnt that on sighting my dad, the robbers exchanged fire with him.

“He was injured in the process and he withdrew from the scene. We found him dead on Thursday.”

Another neighbour said Idowu had asked his family members to lock the door of the house before he went out to confront the robbers.

He said, “Idowu stayed on the outskirts of Akure, in the Sango area. When he left the scene after sustaining injuries, nobody knew his whereabouts until the morning when we saw his corpse on the ground.”

A source said the gunmen also tried to “kidnap the victim’s family.”

He said, “The gunmen entered the governor’s aide’s house and took a four-year-old boy hostage.

“They ordered his wife to open the door to the main house, but the door was not opened. After moving around the compound for about 30 minutes without gaining access into the house, the hoodlums left.”

The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, confirmed the killing, adding that the command had begun investigation into the incident.

Joseph, who noted that Idowu was attached to the Mobile Unit of the command, said the late policeman was a hardworking and disciplined officer.

“He was a disciplined officer. Our hearts are heavy,” the police spokesperson added.