Emir Ajagungbade Buried as Police Shut Mayfair Motor Park, Launch Investigation
The Osun State Police Command has recovered another corpse from the Mayfair Motor Park in Ile-Ife, bringing to two the number of people killed in Sunday’s shooting at the park.
The development came as the remains of Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade, an Accord Party chieftain, were buried at his newly completed residence in Agunbelewo, Osogbo, in accordance with traditional rites.
Oyeyemi was reportedly shot dead during a clash involving him and a group led by another National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) leader identified as Sibi.
Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke had confirmed Oyeyemi’s death and directed the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, to identify and arrest those responsible.
Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi said the motor park had been shut down following the incident and that the newly recovered corpse had been deposited at a morgue.
He added that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, while urging those mentioned in connection with the incident to report themselves to the police.
Ojelabi said the Commissioner of Police had assured that everyone found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted regardless of their status.
Meanwhile, Oyeyemi’s remains were buried by traditionalists in the presence of close family members and priests after being released from the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.
Police were also deployed to the hospital after suspected associates of the deceased allegedly attacked two workers accused of recording the burial proceedings with their phones.
The killing has been linked to moves by some NURTW members to install Oyeyemi as the union’s next Osun State chairman.
However, Commissioner for Transportation Sesan Oyedele denied claims that he had endorsed Oyeyemi for the position, saying NURTW leaders who visited his Modakeke residence on Sunday had only informed him that they had agreed to support Oyeyemi.
Oyedele said he told them he would present their request to Governor Adeleke, the Chief of Staff and other officials before Oyeyemi was killed about two hours after the meeting.
He appealed to residents to remain calm, assuring them that efforts were underway to resolve the crisis.