Accidental discharge: How Ondo chief was killed during funeral rites

The agrarian community of Ayeka in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State is still in the atmosphere of mourning following the death of one of the traditional chiefs in the community, Akinwalere Akinola.

It was widely reported in the media that the late high chief was shot dead during the burial rites being performed for one of his colleagues, the Odunwo of Ayeka Kingdom, Omosuyi Obolo.

The incident happened when the state and the country were mourning the crash of an ATR-42 aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government. No fewer than 25 occupants of the ill-fated aircraft were confirmed dead.

In a short viral video, a group of men, all in white traditional attire, were seen lining up in a procession, indicating that certain traditional rites were being performed.

Suddenly, a sound of gunshot was heard, and instantly one of the men (Akinola) fell down, while others rushed to him to rescue him.

Apparently, the incident ended the traditional rites at that point in time.

Killer arrested

The incident has been the talk of the town as people wondered what could have happened during the traditional funeral rites.

The alleged killer, simply identified as Stephen, was said to have been arrested by  men of the state police command.

A police source said immediately the incident happened, the matter was reported at a police station in the community and the suspect was immediately handed over to the police, adding that “the matter would be handled by the homicide section of the command.”

In a reaction, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the arrest of the suspect while an investigation had commenced into the incident.

He also promised that the investigation that would be carried out on the matter would be thorough.

“A suspect identified as Stephen, 40 was arrested. Meanwhile, an investigation has commenced and would be thorough,” the PPRO said.

‘We were trying to save his life’

Many people have wondered what could have caused the fatal incident to happen in such a manner, while some believed it was a mere accident or a discharge of a firearm on the part of the alleged shooter.

Some residents, however, believed that it could not have been deliberate while another school of thought believed spirituality might be connected to the incident, as those involved were traditionalists.

A resident of the community, Mrs Rachael Alabi, who said she witnessed part of the incident, said it initially caused pandemonium because it was sudden, but later people rushed to the scene to save the life of the victim, who was later confirmed dead.

Alabi said, “I was passing by when I heard  a gunshot; immediately, people rushed to the scene, and I saw the men in white, whom I believe may be members of a cult group, trying to revive the man (late High Chief Akinola) and the procession was scattered and the entire area was in pandemonium.

“I think the man was taken away to a hospital; maybe he could be rescued, but we heard later that he eventually died.”

Another resident of the community, Mr Ade Molehin, said such an incident was unprecedented in the area, calling for thorough investigation both in legal and traditional ways.

Molehin described the deceased as one of the respected leaders in the community.

“It was a tragedy for this community; we have never experienced such an incident before in this area. We all know that it is a usual tradition that when a high chief dies, certain traditional rites would be performed during his funeral activities, but it has never ended in a calamity.

“That is why a thorough investigation needs to be conducted in a traditional way, while the police must carry out thorough investigation. It could be more than an ordinary accidental discharge.

“On that day, I heard the sound, because my house is not far from the scene. I also saw people rushing to the scene. I joined them; on getting there, we saw them trying to save the man’s life, but later, the news came out that he had died. It is a very big loss to this community,” Molehin said.

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The monarch of Ayeka community, Oba Babatunde Ayeyowa, expressed sadness over the death of two of his prominent chiefs, saying the incident was a big blow to the community.

The monarch, however, dismissed the insinuation of foul play in the shooting of the late traditional ruler, describing it as a mere human mistake.

He said, “I feel sad; the entire kingdom feels sad as well, but the tension is coming down. I appreciate the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his SSA on Community Development, for making efforts to calm the situation.

“I appreciate the security agents; they are all on the ground. Because it was an accident, it was not intentional; it was an accident. Now I lost two prominent high chiefs. But honestly, when I heard that information, I think since that day, I’ve not been feeling too fine.”

Oba Ayeyowa explained that it was a normal tradition that when a high chief dies, other colleagues had to bid farewell to the deceased.

“That’s is the tradition, but the hunter that fired the shot was a little far away from them, according to those who were there. It is the tradition that immediately after the announcement that a high chief is dead, that he has gone to join his ancestors, they will throw a salute of a gunshot, so that was it. It was not that he (the alleged killer) went there with a gun, and he was even a bit far from them.

Accidental shooting

All efforts to reach the family of the late chief, were unsuccessful but the son of the first deceased, the Lisa of Ayeka Kingdom, Ken Obolo, also admitted that the shooting was accidental.

The legal practitioner, who is also a high chief, added that as a result of the incident, all activities relating to the burial had been suspended.

Obolo said, “We have suspended all activities to the burial. In light of all that has happened. One is going to be acting without conscience if one goes ahead with the burial with regard to what has happened.

“We are trying to reach out to the family. We have delegated eminent personalities in the society to see how the matter can be resolved.”

He added that legal action had also been taken, confirming that the suspect, who is a chief in the community, had handed himself over to the police.

“Police are involved. The man, the young chief through whose hand the accidental discharge occurred has handed himself down to the police immediately. He was the one who took the man (Akinola) who was shot to the hospital.

“Thereafter, he reported himself at the police station. Since then, the police have been in charge of the matter, even as we speak now. That has been taken to the police headquarters at Akure. The suspect is already there with them too,” Obolo disclosed.

A traditionalist, Mr Goke Faleye, said it was too early for anybody to conclude that the matter had anything to do with spirituality unless a thorough investigation was conducted to ascertain the real cause.

“I read the story on social media, and I watched the viral video; the chiefs were performing their tradition in line with their cultural practice of the community, and such an incident occurred. It is unfortunate, but anyone can die at any time at his or her appointed time, and something must cause the death.

“So you can’t say that because people are practising their tradition and death occurs, then you say it’s spiritual. We have been hearing about accidental discharge, particularly among the security personnel, for a long time, so it is not a new thing.

“So, for me, if the families involved and the government have an interest in knowing the actual cause, let them go ahead and do their investigations in whatever way they want,” Faleye stated.

Police react

The Ondo State Police Command said it had launched an investigation into the alleged killing.

 In a statement on Friday by the Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the investigation began on the directive of the state police commissioner, Mr Felix Ohagwu.

The PPRO said , “ The command has commenced an investigation into the murder of High Chief Akinola Kinwalere which occurred on October 5, 2026, at Ayeka, within the Okitipupa area of Ondo State.

“Following a distress call from a member of the public, operatives of the Okitipupa divisional headquarters swiftly responded to the incident, leading to the arrest of a male suspect allegedly linked to the crime.

”Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect, identified as Stephen Edokpolor, 40, allegedly shot the deceased with a locally-made firearm during the burial ceremony of High Chief Oduwo. The firearm was recovered by police operatives at the scene and secured as an exhibit. The suspect is currently in police custody and assisting detectives with the ongoing investigation. Efforts are also underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”