A traditional funeral ceremony in Ayeka, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, turned tragic after High Chief Akinwalere Akinola was shot dead while participating in the burial rites of a fellow traditional ruler.
The incident occurred while traditional rulers and other members of the community had gathered to perform traditional funeral rites for their late colleague.
According to a community source, a firearm was discharged during the ceremony, and the bullet struck High Chief Akinwalere Akinola in the head. He reportedly died instantly.
Eyewitness accounts reported that the firearm was being carried during the ceremony when it suddenly went off. Some residents described the shooting as an apparent accidental discharge, although the exact circumstances surrounding the firearm’s discharge had not been established.
Channels Television reported that the person carrying the firearm had not been identified at the time of its report and that the bullet struck the High Chief in the head.
The sudden shooting caused confusion at the funeral gathering as those present reacted to the death of the traditional title holder.
Police Arrest Suspect
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident.
Police spokesperson DSP Abayomi Jimoh said that one suspect had been arrested in connection with the death. He also confirmed that a thorough investigation had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
As of the latest reports, the police had not publicly established whether the shooting was entirely accidental or provided further details about how the firearm was discharged.
The investigation is expected to determine what happened during the funeral ceremony and the circumstances that led to the death of High Chief Akinwalere Akinola.
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