One of the new graduates of the University of Ilorin, Korede Adeyanju, has been killed by some assailants in the Ibeshe, Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The Ikole-Ekiti, Ekiti State indigene, who rounded off his studies in History Education in 2016, was said to be awaiting the call up to the National Youth Service Corps, when he was attacked and killed last Friday.
PUNCH Metro learnt that a group of men broke into his apartment on Ayodele Raji Street and smashed a mortar on his head.
The 22-year-old was said to have been rushed to the Ikorodu General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
The corpse was reportedly deposited in the hospital’s morgue, while the case was reported at the Ipakodo Police Division.
The victim’s uncle, Kehinde Adeyanju, said the assailants were suspected to be members of the Badoo cult, a group which had been terrorising Ikorodu residents.
He said, “He finished schooling last year and was awaiting the national service. When the call up was delayed, he decided to start working as a cashier in a sports betting centre in order to get busy. He started the job last Monday.
“He had returned from work on Thursday and was chatting on the phone with some of his friends till the early hours of Friday, when the men entered the room.
“They had tried getting in through the sitting room, but the burglar-proof bars prevented them. They later went in through the bedroom after removing the burglar-proof bars, which probably were not strong enough.
“From what we saw, it appeared that he struggled with them before they overpowered him and smashed his skull with a mortar which they also left behind.”
Adeyanju explained that the Badoo gang had been killing residents with a trademark of leaving mortar behind after each operation.
The victim’s brother, Olayinka, added that the group made away with Korede’s two phones and his laptop.
He said, “He was the only one in the room at that time. There were other people living in the house, because it is a six-flat building; but I am surprised that nobody heard the struggle and raised the alarm.
“I am aware that the gang also attempted to break into the landlord’s house, but they only succeeded in tearing his net; they couldn’t break the burglar-proof bars.”
While calling for the arrest and prosecution of the killers, Olayinka said his brother was among the many victims of the Badoo gang.
“This has been going on for years and it is time to stop it. We believe the community leaders have a hand in the killings. When one of the cult members was arrested sometime ago, he insisted on seeing one of the community leaders before he would talk. We want the government to get to the root of this matter and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.
He described Korede as gentle and easy-going, adding that his death was a big loss to the family.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the deceased was the last child in a family of six children.
When our correspondent reached out to the landlord of the house, identified only as Mr. Dada, he declined comment, saying he had been instructed to keep mute on the incident.
He said, “I have reported the case to the police and they have started their investigation. I was strictly warned not to discuss it with anybody. So, I won’t be saying anything about it or reacting to any allegation.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that investigations had begun.
She said, “The case is under investigation. Investigation will reveal the cause of the death.”
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