Man shoots friend’s wife dead in Ogun over debt

Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola

A 44-year-old fish farmer and resident of Alako Nla village, along Kobape Road, Abeokuta, Dauda Jolaosho, on Wednesday narrated how his neighbour and friend, one
Saheed Olawale, a timbre operator shot his wife dead over his failure to pay for the solar light they bought.

Jolaosho alleged that Olawale popularly called Komaye, shot at him and his wife but while he survived with gunshot wounds on his arm, his wife died instantly.

The bereaved husband said the tragic incident has completely left him shattered and broken as he never envisaged evil of such magnitude could come near his dwelling place from a neighbour who could also pass for a very close acquaintance.

He said that the deceased, who was about 34 years left behind eight-month-old twins and three other children aged 13, 10 and five

Speaking with our correspondent about the sad incident on Wednesday, Jolaosho said “This incident actually started on April 23, 2024. I was about to go out when the people that we bought solar lights from came to my house.

“We actually bought these solar lights from them last year in March, we made a deposit of N10,000 after which we are now paying N1150 every week, the total money is around N67,000.

“And I have been paying what is due for this solar light every week what I have left to pay is N3000. So when these people came to my house, they said that they wanted to check on Olawale too who is also popularly called Komaye.

“They said that Olawale has stopped the weekly payments and that even when he is called he won’t pick his calls. They said they are left with no choice than to go back with the solar light to their office and they left a phone number with which he can connect with them whenever he’s back from work.”

He revealed that, though he bought the solar light together with Olawale he never knew he had defaulted in the weekly payment until the visit of those who sold the solar light to them

Jolaosho disclosed further that when Olawale got back from work and found out that the people had taken his solar light back to their office, he began quarrelling with him and was not ready to listen to whatever may be his explanation.

He said “The following morning which was Wednesday, April 24, Olawale came to my house, picked my phone and left.

“The next thing I saw was his coming with the local gun. While my wife was on her knees begging him not to shoot, he suddenly pulled the trigger and I was hit on my arm when I looked back I found my wife of almost 18 years in the pool of her blood, she was dead”.

He said that the incident was first reported at Kemta police station, Abeokuta after which it was transferred to the Ogun State police command headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

Jolaosho said the suspect had since taken to his heels after committing this offence.

He added that his late wife was buried on Tuesday at Alako Nla, Abeokuta.

While demanding justice for the death of his wife, the fish farmer equally begged the state government and Nigerians to support him to take care of the five children left behind for him.

The Divisional Police Officer of Kemta, CSP Wale Famobuwa, in a conference call with the spokesperson for the state police command, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident.

The DPO said “The incident was reported at our station between 12 and 2 pm on that day and we went to the scene of the crime.

“What happened was that the husband of the woman who was shot dead was engaged in a fight with the alleged killer of the woman.

“He was said to have threatened to stone the man who later killed his wife but this alleged killer warned him not to do that and that if he should stone him, he would shoot him. Jolaosho, however reportedly went ahead to stone Olawale after which he (Olawale) drew out his dane gun and shot at Jolaosho and his wife who was trying to broker peace.”

The police said that while Jolaosho only sustained injuries on his arm, his wife was shot in the head and died instantly.

Olawale is still said to be at large as the police vowed to bring the culprit to justice.