The Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the assassination of Bashorun Akarigbo, Sagamu, Chief Abiodun Folarin on Monday night.

The three assailants who came in a Toyota Camry car were said to have stormed the Itunsokun, Sagamu residence of the popular traditional chief at around 10:45pm on Monday.

The hoodlums were said to have shot into the air to scare the people away after which they went straight after their target, shot him dead, and left the scene without taking anything away.

The deceased was also said to be the Baasegun of Itunsokun community, Sagamu, and had since been buried on Tuesday, according to Islamic rites.

Confirming the killing to our correspondent, the Spokesperson of Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, said, “The incident happened on Monday night at about 10:45pm at Itunsokun residence of the deceased. The victim’s name is Bashorun Abiodun Folarin. He is said to be the Bashorun Akarigbo.

“Three gunmen were said to have come in a Toyota Camry car, shot into the air to disperse the people and then went to shoot dead the deceased who was said to be sitting at that moment.

“This is a case of suspected murder or assassination because the unknown gunmen did not take anything away. At the scene of the crime, two expended cartridges were recovered. The deceased being a Muslim who was assassinated on Monday had been buried.

“The truth is that the culprits will soon be brought to book. The police have swung into action. The Sagamu Area Commander has started an investigation on the matter and very soon those responsible for this heinous crime will be brought to justice.”

The news of the killing of the traditional chief was said to have raised tension in the town as some residents feared that he might have been allegedly killed by some marauding cultists disturbing the peace of the the community for some time.

A resident of the community disclosed that the cultists might have decided to eliminate him because of his involvement in the recent move of the town against the menace of cultism which is already giving the town a bad name.

Two traditional rulers who never wanted their names in print also spoke to our Correspondent over the killing expressing their sadness and frustration.

One of the monarchs said, “The information is correct but I don’t have much information about the incident. We heard that the chief who is a popular traditional chief and member of Akarigbo in council was killed last night. He is popularly called Baasegun, we however can’t say these are the people who did this terrible acts. We leave the police and other security agencies to do their job”

A staff of Sagamu Local Government, who pleaded anonymity, said that the incident also made the LG workers to hurriedly shut down for the day to avoid being caught in any act of violence which the grievous killing could cause.

The source said, “Already, tension is very high in the town as I speak to you, workers are already moving out of the local government secretariat to avoid being caught in any form of crisis. Many are saying the man was killed by cultists but no one could really confirm this, the information is still scanty now.”