DOCTOR, 27, MURDERED IN LAGOS TRAFFIC

A gunman operating on a motorcycle on Friday shot and killed a 27-year-old medical doctor, Irawo Adamolekun, at the Anthony Village end of Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

Irawo, who was driving in a black Sephia II Kia saloon car with Lagos number plate GP 388 AAA was shot at about 3:15pm in front of the traffic warden spot linking Access Road to Ikorodu Road.

It was learnt that the Ondo State indigene who had just left Osuntuyi Medical Centre, Obanikoro, where he works, was shot after he declined to part with valuables when the gunman attempted to rob him in traffic.

Eyewitnesses said the gunman who was wearing a three-quarter length short, shot the deceased at close range, mounted a waiting motorcycle on the other side of the road and fled the scene.

The deceased was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service.

A traffic official at the scene of the incident, who pleaded anonymity, told SUNDAY PUNCH that the gunman shot Adamolekun on the forehead adding that he was the only one in the vehicle.

He said, “Everybody here including police traffic wardens and men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority all fled the scene on hearing the gun shot.

“The gunman fled on a waiting motorcycle immediately he shot the deceased.

“When he was shot, his vehicle hit the Toyota Hiace bus in front of him and caused a gridlock. “On moving closer, I saw the bullet hole in his head and he was in the pool of his own blood.

“Policemen from Pedro Division who came in two patrol vans and LASTMA officials later towed his vehicle away from the road.”

The Chief Medical Director, Osuntuyi Medical Centre, Dr. Julius Osuntuyi, said Irawo was employed in the hospital on January 7, adding that he left the hospital after he closed for the morning duty which lasts between 8am and 3pm.

He said, “We are very saddened by the death of Irawo who joined the services of this company on January 7. His doctor-patient relationship was excellent for the few days he spent in this hospital. He was amiable and likeable by all and you would think that he had been working here for months.

“One of the patients he treated some days ago who thought he had an accident spotted his car on the road and telephoned us at the hospital. We took an ambulance to the scene before we learnt about the unfortunate incident.”

Osuntuyi urged the police to unravel the mystery surrounding his death and bring the culprit to book.

When our correspondent visited the Pedro Police Division, the front seat was full of blood while his ward coat was dangling from the driver’s seat.

The deceased was the only surviving son of his parents.

A family member, who spoke to one of our correspondents on the condition of anonymity, said the deceased’s older brother, Imole, died some years ago.

She said, “Imole was a student in Igbinedion University but died around 2004 in a car accident while leaving the school for home. He was the first born and it left the family devastated.

“Irawo was the only surviving son. He was also in Igbinedion University but later left to attend Houdegbe University, Benin Republic. He concluded his internship not too long ago at a military hospital and he had his life ahead of him.”

Attempts to speak with the deceased’s sister, Ojia, proved abortive as her telephone was switched off.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, said she would call back but had yet to do so as at press time.

Source: Punch