Pandemonium in Ekiti as ritualists kill pastor’s wife

For several hours on that day, socio-economic and farming activities were grounded by youths brandishing green leaves and dangerous weapons, protesting the murder of Mrs Taiwo Oluwole, by yet-to-be identified assailants. The protesting youths, supported by women, barricaded roads, set up bonfires at strategic locations and disrupted the flow of traffic to and from the […]

For several hours on that day, socio-economic and farming activities were grounded by youths brandishing green leaves and dangerous weapons, protesting the murder of Mrs Taiwo Oluwole, by yet-to-be identified assailants.

The protesting youths, supported by women, barricaded roads, set up bonfires at strategic locations and disrupted the flow of traffic to and from the community. The protesting youths diverted motorists to other routes as they were not allowed to pass through the major roads in the community. The police in Igede, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Mr Raheem Adejumo, had a hectic time controlling the irate mob that was calling for the head of the monarch of the community.

While some of the youths alleged that the woman, described as loving and kind-hearted, was killed by suspected ritualists, for ritual purposes, others claimed that she was raped to death by some yet-to-be identified hoodlums who have over the years, laid siege on the Ile Ona road area in the community to cause havoc to unsuspecting members of the community.

Oba James Aladesuru and his Oba-in-Council were held hostage for hours in the palace during a meeting to deliberate the circumstances but for the timely intervention of security agents, the situation could have turned bloody.

One of the youth leaders, Mr Ayo Akintola, told journalists that they were protesting to express their displeasure and warn against future reocurrence in the Ile Ona road area, which he said is noted for crimes. Akintola said that the woman and her husband went to farm together on Saturday, but went different ways with the intent of meet later in the day at home.

He said: “But when the wife did not come back, the husband raised alarm which led to the combing of everywhere on Saturday without success.

“Surprisingly, on Sunday, we found the woman’s lifeless body on Ile Ona road, a place we had searched the previous day. Her dress and skirt had been removed, but while her skirt was used to tie round her neck giving an impression that she committed suicide, her wrapper was packed and placed between her thighs. Her body parts were intact, but she was bleeding from her private part. I cannot say whether she was raped or anything removed from her private part. But she was bleeding from her private part,” he affirmed.

Akintola also said that aside the murder of the woman, the hoodlums allegedly beat a motorcyclist after snatching his motorbike on the Ile Ona road on Saturday and another one the following day.

“The monarch should move urgently to expose those behind the dastardly acts. This is not the first time. About a year ago, two men were killed in the area and up till now, the killers have not been found.”

He lamented that the latest incident has sent shock waves down the spine of everybody as “nobody knows whose turn will be next. The women are afraid to go to farm since Saturday. Youths are afraid to ply the road. All these have impacts on business in the town”.

The monarch was visibly shaken while addressing journalists at his palace and became more worried when the youths, chanting war songs, marched on the palace chanting, “we give you three minutes and not three days”, “we will break your head with stones right now” and “do something urgently about this matter right now or we send you packing.”

Oba Aladesuru said he has taken necessary steps since Saturday night when the news of the woman’s disappearance got to him, adding that the matter should have been a police affair since Sunday when her remains were found in the bush.

He expressed displeasure over the manner the police handled the issue, adding that it was disappointing that the law enforcement agents allowed the angry youths to go ahead with the protest without any arrests.

Giving a vivid account of how his wife, whom he has married for 35 years, Pastor John Oluwole, pleaded with the security agents to fish out the killers of his wife. He explained that they both went to the farm on Friday for different missions, only to come back home and waited for his wife to return.

He added, “when we got to the farm, we went to different locations like we had been doing before. I heard when she was calling me, but I thought she was returning home as earlier agreed. But I was surprised when I got home and I did not meet my wife and I immediately commenced searching for her until her dead body was seen in the place where I had visited four times.”

Sunday Trust gathered from sources that some vital organs were removed from the woman through her private part, adding that her underwear was also taken away by the killers.

He expressed disappointment that he has not received any emissary or condolence from the Onigede-in-Council since the gruesome murder of his wife.

Pastor Oluwole who is the founder of the Zion Baptist Church, Igede Ekiti, described his late wife, whom he married in 1976, as humble and peace-loving, lamenting how a woman of such virtues could have been killed in such a gruesome manner.

The Christian Association of Nigeria in the area also staged a peaceful protest to condemn the killing of the 56-year old woman.

.The peaceful protest, guarded by riot policemen stationed at the palace of the community’s monarch, to prevent the action from being hijacked by irate youths, was led by the leaders of CAN in the area, Rev. Peter Adegbami, Rev. Clement Kayode and other religious leaders.

CAN condemned the traditional chiefs in the community for their inability to stop killings in the area revealing that over seven people had been murdered in similar circumstances in the last two years.

It called on security agencies and the Onigede –in-Council to bring the perpetrators to justice

Rev. Michael Ige who spoke on behalf of the Forum of Ministers of CAN, Igede chapter, blamed the community leaders for not showing enough concern and sympathy. He said their action angered the youths and escalated the crisis that had enveloped the area since the incident. He claimed that the deceased was strangulated and stripped naked while being beaten by attackers.

However, Oba Aladesuru exonerated himself and members of his council from blame, saying they were only waiting for the outcome of police investigations before taking further steps.

He said it would be wrong of them to be working at cross-purposes with the police in a criminal issue of this nature and urged for patience with the police while they carry out investigations.

Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Mohammed Jimoh, who confirmed the development, said investigations into the matter was ongoing. Mr Jimoh revealed that autopsy had been conducted on the deceased and the results being awaited. He promised that the result would be made public.

Jimoh, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), pleaded for calm in the area and assured that the perpetrators would be fished out and made to face the full weight of the law.