Cultists kill American Varsity undergraduate in Lagos

Otenaike

When on March 18, 2013, 26-year-old Adeolu Otenaike left Benin Republic with his newly acquired Honda Baby Boy car, his aim was to come to Nigeria to celebrate with his friends.

The 400-Level student’s celebration has, however, turned into mourning as he was killed two days later in the Mushin area of Lagos.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the late Otenaike, who was a student of North American University, Houdegbe, was in company with five of his colleagues when the incident occurred.

It was learnt that on March 20, 2013, after hosting friends near his parents’ residence on Ojelade Street, Mushin, some youths, suspected to be cultists, attacked and killed him.

A witness, who craved anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said, “Otenaike and his friends left his parents’ home and went to a club on Jibowu Street to celebrate further. They met some other friends in the club where they remained till almost 12am.

“When it was about midnight, the deceased decided to escort his friends but when they got to Empire area, they were accosted by some gangsters. The gangsters were led by one Taiye and I think Otenaike had a misunderstanding with them a few years ago.

“The gangsters grabbed Otenaike and beat up his friends, dispossessing them of all their valuables. One man, who was later identified as a Keke NAPEP operator, told the hoodlums to take Otenaike beneath the bridge not too far from Empire where he was later shot in the head. Chinedu, another victim, was seriously wounded but managed to escape.”

Our correspondent, who visited the area on Monday, learnt that soon after Otenaike’s murder, policemen attached to Alakara Station recovered the corpse.

A resident, Muyiwa Asehinde, told our correspondent that although Mushin had been peaceful in recent months, there had been killings due to increase in cult activities.

He said, “Empire area, which used to be known as Fela’s Kalakuta Republic, has returned to its former state as many brothels and pubs in the area attract many hoodlums and they frequently sell hard drugs which encourage crime.

“The place has gradually become home to members of Eiye Confraternity. There is a club there which to the undiscerning eyes seems normal but it is also the national headquarters of a cult group. I urge the police to carry out constant raids in the area as well as beneath the Jibowu Bridge.

Meanwhile, PUNCH Metro learnt that four other people were killed in Mushin and Ojuelegba area last week.

The Chairman of Tricycle Operators, Ojuelegba Unit,   Lekan Lawal, was killed in the area at about 9.30pm by unknown gunmen. PUNCH Metro learnt that his corpse was taken to the Area C Command.

He was buried in Sango area of Ogun State on Monday.

In Mushin, it was learnt that three people were killed in Martins, Adeyemi and Olosha areas on Saturday.




-- Punch