Masked gunmen kill Lagos director, steal phone, files

Aggrieved family members of a civil servant, Abiodun Adenuga, have called on the Lagos State Police Command to track down the gunmen who shot him at the Sindende Guest House in the Agege area of the state.

It was gathered that the victim lodged at the guesthouse on October 6.

Around 1.30am, no fewer than four masked men were said to have invaded the facility, as they robbed staff and lodgers, including Abiodun.

During the robbery, the assailants allegedly shot the father of four in the chest and dispossessed him of his phone and office documents.

Abiodun’s sister, Adebisi, said the 56-year-old, who was found in a pool of blood in his room, was rushed to the Surgical and Emergency Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, for treatment.

She stated that no fewer than 11 bullets were extracted from her brother’s chest during a surgery, adding that Abiodun later succumbed to the injuries he sustained during the attack.

Adebisi said, “The owner of the hotel informed us about the incident around 8.30am on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. He said he had an accident, but on getting to LASUTH, we realised that he was shot and rushed there around 2.35am.

“We were told that the armed robbers invaded the hotel around 1.30am, broke into his room and while trying to get his office bag, they shot him. Other victims said they rushed out of their rooms when they heard gunshots, and that they were also robbed.

“My brother was the only one that was shot, and they went away with his phone and office bag. We don’t know the kind of documents that were in the bag.

“About 11 bullets were removed from his chest and after the operation, he came round two days later. But on Friday, he went into a coma and since then, he never regained consciousness. He died around 9.35am on Monday after several efforts to resuscitate him proved abortive.”

Adebisi said the multiple gunshots at her brother indicated that the intent was to assassinate him, adding that the bullets damaged most of the organs in his body.

“The Chief Medical Director of LASUTH said he saw my brother when he was rushed into the hospital and my brother told him he told the gunmen to drop his bag and that the next thing was that they shot him.

“They left and after some minutes, they returned to his room and took his phone. But he held on to one of the suspects’ legs and that was how they shot him again. I know it was not a robbery; only God knows where it all came from.

“The robbers were about four; they wore masks and gave a signal to a lot of people that my brother was targeted. We have reported the matter at the Pen Cinema Police Station for investigation so that the culprits could be arrested,” she added.

The victim’s daughter, Yinka, said her father usually lodged in the guesthouse whenever he closed late from work, adding that he had been using the facility for about 15 years.

“He was just promoted to the post of Deputy Director, Environmental Health Services, Occupational Health, in the Ministry of Health, Lagos State. My father had three wives and four children,” she added.

It was further gathered that Abiodun was buried last Friday at his residence on Banana Estate Phase 1, Igbe Laara, in the Igbogbo Bayeku Local Council Development Area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said, “I will get back to you after being briefed.”

He had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

(The PUNCH)