A tragic incident unfolded in Alako Nla village, along Kobape Road, Abeokuta, involving 44-year-old fish farmer Dauda Jolaosho and his neighbor and friend, Saheed Olawale, a timber operator who shot and killed his wife.
Jolaosho while recounting the story on Wednesday noted that Olawale, also known as Komaye, shot and killed his wife over an unpaid solar light bill.
Jolaosho explained that Olawale fired at both him and his wife.While Jolaosho survived with gunshot wounds to his arm, his wife died instantly.
The grieving husband, devastated by the event, expressed his disbelief that such a horrifying act could come from a close neighbor and friend.
The deceased, a 34-year-old woman, left behind eight-month-old twins and three other children aged 13, 10, and 5.
Speaking on the incident on Wednesday, Jolaosho detailed the events leading to the tragedy.
The issue began on April 23, 2024, when representatives from the company they bought solar lights from visited Jolaosho’s home.
“We bought these solar lights last year in March with an initial deposit of N10,000 and weekly payments of N1,150, totaling around N67,000. I have been making the payments regularly and only had N3,000 left to pay,” he said.
The representatives mentioned that Olawale had stopped making his payments and wasn’t answering their calls.
They decided to reclaim the solar light and left a contact number for Olawale to reach them.
Jolaosho was unaware of Olawale’s default until this visit. When Olawale returned from work and discovered his solar light was taken, he became enraged and refused to listen to any explanations.
The following morning, April 24, Olawale took Jolaosho’s phone and left. He then returned with a local gun. Jolaosho recounted, “While my wife was on her knees begging him not to shoot, he suddenly pulled the trigger. I was hit on my arm, and when I looked back, I found my wife of almost 18 years in a pool of blood. She was dead.”
The incident was reported to Kemta police station and later transferred to the Ogun State police command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
The suspect, Olawale, fled after the shooting. Jolaosho’s wife was buried on Tuesday in Alako Nla, Abeokuta.
Jolaosho is now demanding justice for his wife’s death and is appealing to the state government and the public for support to care for his five children.
The Divisional Police Officer of Kemta, CSP Wale Famobuwa, confirmed the incident in a conference call with SP Omolola Odutola, the state police command spokesperson.
The DPO said, “The incident was reported at our station between 12 and 2 pm on that day. What happened was that Jolaosho was engaged in a fight with the alleged killer, Olawale. Jolaosho reportedly threatened to stone Olawale, who warned him not to. Jolaosho went ahead to stone him, after which Olawale drew out his dane gun and shot at Jolaosho and his wife, who was trying to broker peace.”
While Jolaosho sustained injuries to his arm, his wife was shot in the head and died instantly. The police are actively searching for Olawale and have vowed to bring him to justice.
