Former LG chairman shot dead in Ondo

Immediate past Caretaker Chairman of Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, Evangelist Niyi Pirisola was allegedly shot dead Friday morning in his Ilutitun hometown by unknown gunmen.

The Guardian learnt that the deceased, who was a staunch member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, was shot dead at the gate of his house when coming back from a vigil around 1:00am.

Pirisola, who was also the Shepherd of Celestial Church Christ, Dide Oluwa Parish, Ilutitun, gave up the ghost before sympathisers rushed him to the State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Akure by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Banji Okunomo, expressed the state’s condolence and described the assasination as callous.

Okunomo, who urged security agencies to speedily bring the culprits to book, said “This is necessary because of the sensitivity of the times that we are in Ondo State considering that the State is preparing for its governorship election come November 26, 2016.

“The PDP cautions against anything that could heat up the polity and impede the transition process that is being prepared for in our dear Sunshine State.

“Ondo State has been widely acclaimed as one of the most peaceful States in the country. We must not allow hoodlums to tamper with this track record or dent our image in any way,” the statement partly read.

The state Public Relations Officer of Police, (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, immediately he confirmed the incident, noted that the state command has begun investigation into the matter to apprehend the culprits.

“The deceased was coming from the church and the assailants attacked him and killed him. We have commenced investigation on it and I am sure the killers will be brought to book,” Joseph said.