How Ogun businessman was gunned down days after opening filling station

Gunmen invaded Osofem Oil and Gas Petrol Station in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Sunday and killed the owner.

The incident happened 48 hours after Femi James, the owner, opened the station amid fanfare.

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A source told Daily Trust that the father of three was about going home after the close of day when the gunmen stormed the station and ordered everyone to remain where they were.

The assailants, who reportedly forced their way into the vehicle of the deceased, tried to drive off with him but he jumped out of the vehicle and they chased him.

It was in the process that he fell down and one of them hit him on the head before opening fire, according to a witness.

According to the victim’s widow, Omolayo James, the deceased was an easy-going person.

She said she was at home around 10pm on the uneventful day when she received a phone call that she should head for Ifo because something terrible had happened to her husband.

“It was one Mr. Gbenga that called me that night; he said I should come to Ifo, but I told him I couldn’t make it because I am nursing a baby of 11 months old. When I couldn’t bear the pain anymore, I rushed to our neighbour’s apartment to accompany me down but they said they wouldn’t be able to go because it was late. While I was doing all these nobody told me what happened to my husband. I was kept in the dark until his family members came.”

A nephew of the man, who simply identified himself as Harbee, explained that the men, who were all clad in military camouflage, shot Femi in the head and left with his car, with the number plate, EKY903GZ.

“They were all in soldier uniform. It happened at Osofem Oil and Gas, Nitel Bus-stop at Ifo, Ogun State, around 10 pm on Sunday. He was about to go home when they came to attack him. He tried to escape and they shot him in the head, took his car and his money and went away,” the nephew said.

The deceased Toyota Corolla was later found at Obada Oko area of Abeokuta.

“We found the car at Obada Oko. The car was packed in the bush. It is currently at the police station,” Harbee further told our correspondent on Wednesday.

The Spokesman of the State Police Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi confirmed the incident, describing it as a case of armed robbery.

According to him, the robbers in military uniform must have got a hint that the man was with a certain amount of money, which he said was driven away in his car after killing him.

“It’s a case of armed robbery and the command is investigating it. We learnt they came in military uniform and they killed the man.

“I think there was information about the man that he was with some amount of money. So, they took away the vehicle with the money inside it. We are still investigating the incident,” Oyeyemi said.

There have been disturbing cases of insecurity in Ogun in recent times.

Last week, Governor Dapo Abiodun said criminals were after him because of his tough stance against them.