Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has placed a N5million bounty on the heads of the three gunmen responsible for the gruesome murder of a member of the state House of Assembly representing Oorelope state constituency, Honourable Gideon Aremu, whose body was buried on Thursday amidst sorrow and grief, with the question of whether this would be another alleged murder in which the killers are not found.
Aremu’s death in the hands of gunmen was likened to the assassination of former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige in 2001 and that of a member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency, Honourable Olusegun Oladimeji (a.k.a Segelu) in 2007, where the culprits were yet to be brought to book.
Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Adeyemo, in his remarks, at the valedictory plenary, held at the floor of the Oyo House of Assembly, had called for such reflection over deaths which had occurred in similar manners, in the state.
Drawing inference from the scriptures, he declared that “Whoever kills by sword shall be killed by the sword. Whoever has done this might think that he or she is free, but by the grace of God, that person or persons will never have rest in life. You have brought sorrow to the family, brought sorrow to Igboho town, and Oorelope Local Government, whoever has done this will never find peace.”
Adeyemo, however assured that the state government, in collaboration with the relevant security agencies, would ensure that the perpetrators were apprehended.
Aremu, gunned down at his Alakia residence at about 9p.m. on July 1, 2016, by assailants, was survived by an aged mother, wife and four young children.
Aremu, who was set for his Ph.D graduation in October, 2016, from the University of Ilorin, was clad in his convocation gown as well as his Labour Party (LP) muffler, and buried at the cemetery of Will of God Ebenezer Apostolic Church, Igboho, Oorelope Local Government.
In their various remarks, political associates, members of Oorelope constituency, members of Labour party, family and friends were united in their call for justice, urging the state government to go beyond giving mere assurances to arresting the culprits.
They expressed awe at why Aremu, described as an easy going gentleman was allegedly murdered, but echoed that, “they killed his body but not his soul.”
Speaker of the Oyo House of Assembly, Honourable Micheal Adeyemo, at the valedictory plenary, wondered why Aremu’s dedication to serving the people of his constituency was repaid with a “gruesome murder.”
“We lost a friend, brother, family, a dedicated honourable who was gruesomely murdered. Whoever thinks this is the best to give to Aremu’s family, his constituency will not know peace. We are sure of where you are and we pray that God Almighty be with your family. Your dream for your family, especially your children, will be fulfilled in their lifetime and they shall be granted the long life that you (Aremu) have been denied,” Adeyemo bemoaned.
With tear-leaden eyes and intermittent sobs, Deputy Speaker, Honourable Abdulwasi Musah, said, “You possessed a rare valour typical of a military man which you truly were. You intelligently contributed to debates on the floor of this house in manners reflective of your very rich academic dexterity. Gideon joyfully executed all duties assigned him by the House of Assembly. Member representing Atiba constituency on the platform of Labour party, Honourable Gbenga Oyekola decried Honourable Aremu’s death as “one assassination too many.”
“Our solace is based on the salient fact that Honourable Aremu highly acquainted himself as a first class scholar, amiable grassroots politician and a worthy lawmaker within his course on this earth. Labour party has lost a great commander in Oyo North. Oorelope state constituency has lost a shining star and a reliable representative while the Oyo assembly has lost a hardworking and highly refined lawmaker,” Oyekola said.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka, on Thursday, announced the reward for any member of the public with credible information that might lead to the arrest of the criminals.
Ajimobi appealed to members of the public in possession of any useful information to immediately contact the following telephone numbers: 0802 343 1079, 0803 653 6581, with assurances that such tips would be treated in the utmost confidence.
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