Police has ordered the investigation of killing of a Professor of Social and Environmental Forestry at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan in Oyo State, Opeyemi Ajewole.
Recall that the 61-year-old was killed by yet-to-be-identified gunmen at the front of his house in the Orogun community in the Akinyele Local Government area of the state.
A family source told our correspondent that the assailants accosted Ajewole who alighted from the car to open his house gate, and shot at him.
They were said to have pushed him into his car and then drove the car out of the area.
Our correspondent further learnt that his corpse was later dumped somewhere while they went away with his car.
A member of the faculty, Oladoyin Adebowale, said the professor was killed at gunpoint and his car was taken away.
One of the deceased’s friends, Olukayode Ogunsanwo, also confirmed his death, saying, “Yes. It is true. It is true.”
His corpse was said to have been deposited at the Department of Anatomy of the institution.
When contacted on Tuesday, the institution’s Principal Assistant Registrar, Public Communications, Joke Akinpelu, confirmed the incident.
“Yes, it is true but no official comments for now because it is already a police case. Thanks for your concern,” Akinpelu said.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, also confirmed the killing to our correspondent.
“The matter is under investigation. Updates would be provided accordingly, please,” Osifeso said.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the killing of the professor “as a rude shock.”
Shettima, in a statement signed by him on Tuesday, wrote, “I received today the shocking news of the death of Prof. Opeyemi Ajewole who was gunned down by yet-to-be-identified assailants.
“The late Opeyemi, a renowned Professor of Social and Environmental Forestry, was my classmate at the University of Ibadan and his untimely death just days after personally congratulating me on my swearing-in, came as a rude shock.
“I condemn the gruesome killing of Prof. Opeyemi and wish to express my deep condolences to his family and the University of Ibadan Master Class of 1990. I pray for the repose of his gentle soul.”