Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has placed a N5 million bounty on the gunmen responsible for the murder of a lawmaker, Gideon Aremu.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Yomi Layinka, yesterday in Ibadan announced the reward for anyone with credible information that might lead to the arrest of the criminals.
Ajimobi urged the public with information on the matter to use the following telephone numbers: 0802 343 1079, 0803 653 6581, with assurances that such tips would be treated in confidence.
Amid tears, many paid tributes to the late lawmaker yesterday.
Aremu, who represented Oorelope,was the chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Information, Public Relations and Security.
He was killed Friday night in his Alakia home in Egbeda Local Government by assailants, who shot him at close range.
The attackers, numbering three, were said to have trailed him to his residence around 11 pm.
At a special valedictory service yesterday, his body arrived at 8 am in a white Peugeot bus at the Parliament Building, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.
His body was later interred in the convocation gown he ought to wear for his Doctor of Philosophy graduation in October at the University of Ilorin.
In his tribute, Governor Ajimobi, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Alake-Adeyemo, said there was need to reflect on why politicians were being murdered in seven years interval.
He said: “In 2002, former Minister for Justice, Chief Bola Ige, was murdered; in 2009, a House of Representatives member, Olusegun Oladimeji, was murdered in Ibadan; and now 2016, our own Aremu was murdered.
“Why is this happening? Those, who have done this, according to the Bible, those who killed by the sword will also die by the sword. That person will never have peace.”
He promised that those involved in his killing would be apprehended.
Sympathising with the deceased wife, Mrs. Bukola Aremu and children, Ajimobi assured the family of his administration’s support.
The Speaker, Michael Adesina, described his late colleague as a rare gem, a friend, brother and a dedicated lawmaker.
He said his kind gesture and level of intelligence would be greatly missed by the House, his family and the state.
The Deputy Speaker, Musah Abdulwasi, who wept uncontrollably, said he related with the lawmaker for a year and half, adding that what they both shared was practically graduating to a level of affinity.
“You positively impacted on me, your colleagues in the short time you spent with us. The one year and 21 days we had together in the hallow chamber of the Oyo State House of Assembly was remarkable.
“I appreciate your boldness; I adore your frankness and will miss your friendship in a lifetime,” he said.
The Majority Leader, Kehinde Subair, said his death was sudden and shocking to the legislators.
Gbenga Oyekola, representing Atiba, described him as an inestimable grassroots politician and a scholar.
Oyekola said the House lost a worthy lawmaker, a shining star and a reliable representative.
A former lawmaker, who represented former lawmakers in Oorelope, Matthew Oyedokun, said his death was shocking and sad.
He said Aremu served his constituency meritoriously, calling on the security agencies to ensure a thorough investigation to bring his killers to justice.
The representative of the Labour Party, Kazeem Adedeji, said Aremu was “an easy going man and a lover of peace”.
The Chairman, House of Assembly Correspondents, Richard Thomas, said reporters received the news of Aremu’s death with shock.
His body, which was accompanied by the deputy governor, Speaker, lawmakers, among others, left the Parliament Building around 10:30 am and arrived at his hometown, Igboho, at 1:30 pm.
Weeping and pouring curses on his killers, the people paid their last respect.
In his sermon, during the funeral service at the Will of God Ebenezer Apostolic Church, Oke-Igboho, the pastor, Bayo Oyewole, appealed to the family and loved ones to accept the death as the will of God.
“Aremu has gone at God’s destined time. We are not happy over his demise, but God knows best. Don’t disturb him from sleeping well in the bosom of God. Don’t let us look at the way he was murdered; but let us look at it as God’s time,” he said
In his vote of thanks on behalf of the family, Ezekiel Aremu hailed the government, Assembly and others for their support and prayers.
Aremu’s remains were interred on the premises of Will of God Ebenezer Apostolic Church, Oke-Igboho.
Aremu is survived by a mother, wife and four young children. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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