Ex-Military Officer Shoots Son To Death In Akure

Tragedy struck yesterday at Maronu Street in the Araromi area of Akure, the capital of Ondo State, as a former military officer, Desilva Adedipe, reportedly shot and killed his son, Ayo Adedipe. Family sources told SaharaReporters that Mr. Adedipe, who retired from service at the rank of major, shot his son at close range as the two argued over an electricity bill.
A resident of the street told a correspondent that many residents fled the area for fear of their lives as well as possible arrest by security operatives.
An argument broke out
between the retired major and his son over payments for an electricity bill issued by the Power Holding Company of Nigerian (PHCN). One source said neighbors had tried to settle the matter between the two before the tragic incident.
A source said the former military officer’s son had verbally insulted his father. After a while, the ex-officer ran into his room and reemerged with a gun with which he shot his son in the chest at a close range. The young man died instantly.
Several residents who spoke to SaharaReporters described the incident as shocking. They expressed disappointment in the officer, disclosing that he had ignored their pleas to show restraint in dealing with his son. A few of the residents, however, blamed the late Ayo, saying he had a reputation in the community for stubbornness.
Popularly called “Osha,” the late Ayo was described as a notorious street boy in the community who reportedly masterminded many nefarious activities in the area including burglarizing shops to steal goods.
A source close to the family revealed that night guards on several occasion had come over to the family house to warn about the late youngster’s late-night escapades. “The night guard of our street on many occasions had knocked on our doors telling us to warn Osha because they won’t hesitate to hand him over to the police for associating with notorious street gangs and for his late walks,” the source said.
“Even his father knew him to be a bad boy,” said another resident of the community. He added: “Osha didn’t listen to advice from people. He would embarrass you or even send his gangs to trail you, beat or even molest you, if you talk about him.”

Olaide Adedipe, who claimed to be the wife of the deceased, said the shooting happened after Ayo’s father discovered that his son had not been depositing the electricity payments handed over to him.
Ms. Olaide said the former major found out that his son had been diverting the money but would show him fake electricity receipts as proof that the money had been paid.
SaharaReporters learnt that after killing Ayo, his father hurriedly carried his body out of the compound.
A source said that a commercial motorcyclist had raised an alarm after seeing the ex-military officer in a bush at Onigari, Shagari Village, Akure trying to dump his son’s body. The retired officer reportedly took to his heels.
Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Nigerian Police Force, Ondo State Command, Wole Ogodo, said that Ms. Olaide, who claimed to be the wife of the deceased, reported the tragic development to them.
“The complainant rushed to the [police] station and said that the suspect, whom they used to call ‘Old Soldier,’ allegedly shot his own son during an argument over NEPA bill,” said the police spokesman.
Mr. Ogodo said police officers went in search of the alleged assailant, who remains elusive. The police investigators found the late Ayo’s body. He disclosed that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at a morgue in Akure, adding that an autopsy would be carried out.
The police spokesman also revealed that the case had been transferred to the state’s Criminal Investigation Department and that the police were on the trail of the suspect.