Panic gripped residents of Moniya, a bustling area in the Akinyele Local Government of Ibadan, Oyo State, following the gruesome murder of a middle-aged man by suspected gunmen on Tuesday.
According to eyewitness reports, the unidentified victim was gunned down in front of a shopping complex situated near a popular bus stop in the area. The attackers, believed to be riding a motorcycle, struck swiftly and without warning. One of them reportedly dismounted, approached the man at close range, and shot him directly in the head, leaving the pavement stained with blood.
An eyewitness, who simply identified herself as Iya Rashidat, recounted the terrifying moment she heard the gunshot:
“I was still in the shop with my baby when I suddenly heard the sound of a gunshot. I rushed outside to see what had happened. But before I could get far, I saw people running in different directions.
Out of fear, I left my shop open and fled the area. I later observed from a distance and saw a police Hilux vehicle arrive to evacuate the man’s lifeless body. He had died instantly.”
The brutal killing plunged the entire area into chaos. Shops were hastily shut, and street traders abandoned their wares as residents and passers-by ran for safety. The bus stop, which usually bustles with commercial activity, was quickly deserted.
Another witness, who preferred to remain anonymous, said he arrived at the scene as the police were removing the body. He noted that there were conflicting accounts about the circumstances of the murder.
“I got there just when security operatives were moving the corpse. There were different stories going around. Some people claimed the man had just stepped out of a commercial vehicle, one of those Micra taxis, when he was shot. Others said the attackers had been trailing him and executed the hit once he reached the bus stop.”
The motive behind the killing remains unknown, and as of the time of this report, the identity of the victim has not been confirmed.
Security operatives, who arrived shortly after the incident, cordoned off the area and evacuated the body. The assailants, however, managed to escape the scene and remain at large. Authorities have yet to release an official statement, and investigations are expected to be launched to uncover the perpetrators and the reason for the targeted attack.
The tragic event has sparked renewed concerns among residents over rising insecurity and the boldness of criminals operating in broad daylight in the state capital.