The Osun State Police Command has began investigation into the alleged killing of Ezekiel Ajewole by some illegal miners on his farm at Iberekodo in Atakumosa West Local Government Area of Osun State
This is also as it confirmed that it has arrested three suspects in connection with the killing.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, who stated that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has taken over the case, assured that justice would be duly served.
She also revealed that the suspects, Musefiu, Ojo Olowookere and a woman allegedly engaged the services of foreign illegal miners who are at large.
However, the elder brother of the deceased, Wole Ajewole stated that his late younger brother informed him about the encroachment into his farm by the illegal miners who were working for one Sunday Aluko and Ojo Olowookere.
Ajewole said the victim also reported the trespass on his farm to community leaders whose efforts to intervene in the matter proved futile, as the duo of Sunday Aluko and Ojo Olowookere did not desist from their illegal activities.
“When he discovered that the miners had encroached on his farm, he reported the matter to the community leaders asking the community leaders to dissuade the duo of Sunday Aluko and Ojo Olowookere and stop the miners from mining on his farm.
“The community leaders tried to resolve the matter and cautioned Ojo Olowokere and Sunday Aluko to desist from sponsoring illegal mining activities on Mr. Taiwo Ajewole’s farm,” he said.
He revealed that his brother was shot dead by his assailants when he confronted and challenged them to stop the illegal mining activities on his farmland.
“Mr.Taiwo Ajewole was killed by these illegal miners on his farm at Odo-Oko stream in Iberekodo-Ijesa Village, Ward Two, Atakunmosa West Local Government.
“The corpse of the deceased was retrieved from the scene of the incident and deposited at Wesley Guide Hospital, Ilesa.
“The miners are at large but the matter is incidented at the Police Station, Osu and the Police are trying to arrest the principal characters involved in the whole saga,” he revealed.