35-year-old hunter, Olasunkanmi Olakiye, was accidentally shot dead by one of his co-hunters, who was trailing an antelope in a bush in the Odeda area of Ogun State.
The tragic incident occurred on April 20 while the hunters were on a hunting expedition.
Speaking with PUNCH, the leader of the Egba Hunters Association, Alao Yusuf, who confirmed the incident said the information gathered from the group members who were with the deceased showed that he was accidentally shot by a team member when they were making attempts to kill an antelope in the bush.
Yusuf regretted that efforts made by his colleagues to save Olakiye’s life proved futile as he was pronounced dead at the hospital where he was rushed to.
He said although the incident was reported at a police station, the family of the deceased decided not to press charges.
He said, “I was told that they went to the bush for hunting and that the antelope that was shot died but the bullet hit Olakiye. Immediately, they said that he was rushed to the hospital but that before they got there, he was already dead.
“The matter was reported at the Odeda Police Station and even Olakiye’s brothers were part of the hunting expedition.
“Olakiye’s family decided not to press charges because they said it was an accidental discharge that claimed the life of their kinsman.”
A member of a vigilante group in the state, Alabi Adesina, also confirmed the incident.
“When we heard what happened, we quickly called the police to inform them of the incident. We would always report issues like this because, under the law, nothing of these kinds should be overlooked,” he said.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the development said the deceased family decided not to press charges.
Oyeyemi said the police still did their work and discovered that it was a case of accidental discharge.
The PPRO said, “I am aware of the matter. All of them are hunters. One of them shot at an animal and the bullet hit one of their members (Olakiye). They reported the matter at the Odeda Police Station. We investigated and discovered that it was a case of an accidental discharge.
“The family of the dead man said they would not press charges since it was not a case of intentional killing. But we did our work properly and we are still on the matter. As we speak, an investigation on the matter is on.”