Ex-Military Officer Shoots Son To Death In Akure

Tragedy struck yesterday at Maronu Street in the Araromi area of
Akure, the capital of Ondo State, as a former military officer,
Desilva Adedipe, reportedly shot and killed his son, Ayo Adedipe.
Family sources told SaharaReporters that Mr. Adedipe, who retired from
service at the rank of major, shot his son at close range as the two
argued over an electricity bill.
A resident of the street told our correspondent that many residents
fled the area for fear of their lives as well as possible arrest by
security operatives.
Our sources said that an argument broke out between the retired major
and his son over payments for an electricity bill issued by the Power
Holding Company of Nigerian (PHCN). One source said neighbors had
tried to settle the matter between the two before the tragic incident.
A source said the former military officer's son had verbally insulted
his father. After a while, the ex-officer ran into his room and
reemerged with a gun with which he shot his son in the chest at a
close range. The young man died instantly.
Several residents who spoke to SaharaReporters described the incident
as shocking. They expressed disappointment in the officer, disclosing
that he had ignored their pleas to show restraint in dealing with his
son. A few of the residents, however, blamed the late Ayo, saying he
had a reputation in the community for stubbornness.
Popularly called "Osha," the late Ayo was described as a notorious
street boy in the community who reportedly masterminded many nefarious
activities in the area including burglarizing shops to steal goods.
A source close to the family revealed that night guards on several
occasion had come over to the family house to warn about the late
youngster's late-night escapades. "The night guard of our street on
many occasions had knocked on our doors telling us to warn Osha
because they won't hesitate to hand him over to the police for
associating with notorious street gangs and for his late walks," the
source said.
"Even his father knew him to be a bad boy," said another resident of
the community. He added: "Osha didn't listen to advice from people. He
would embarrass you or even send his gangs to trail you, beat or even
molest you, if you talk about him."
Olaide Adedipe, who claimed to be the wife of the deceased, said the
shooting happened after Ayo's father discovered that his son had not
been depositing the electricity payments handed over to him.
Ms. Olaide said the former major found out that his son had been
diverting the money but would show him fake electricity receipts as
proof that the money had been paid.
SaharaReporters learnt that after killing Ayo, his father hurriedly
carried his body out of the compound.
A source said that a commercial motorcyclist had raised an alarm after
seeing the ex-military officer in a bush at Onigari, Shagari Village,
Akure trying to dump his son's body. The retired officer reportedly
took to his heels.
Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Nigerian Police Force,
Ondo State Command, Wole Ogodo, said that Ms. Olaide, who claimed to
be the wife of the deceased, reported the tragic development to them.
"The complainant rushed to the [police] station and said that the
suspect, whom they used to call 'Old Soldier,' allegedly shot his own
son during an argument over NEPA bill," said the police spokesman.
Mr. Ogodo said police officers went in search of the alleged
assailant, who remains elusive. The police investigators found the
late Ayo's body. He disclosed that the remains of the deceased had
been deposited at a morgue in Akure, adding that an autopsy would be
carried out.
The police spokesman also revealed that the case had been transferred
to the state's Criminal Investigation Department and that the police
were on the trail of the suspect.