The PUNCH gathered that the incident happened around 12 pm on Friday when the hoodlums invaded the community to enforce a court judgement on some acres of land.
It was learnt that the hoodlums led by one Ultimate, upon sighting some labourers who were employed to work on the land, opened fire on them.
While some of them managed to escape in the process, Femi who also attempted to flee the scene got hit with a bullet in the back. Another worker was also shot in the arm.
An eyewitness who craved anonymity for security reasons said, “Some hoodlums were brought into the community on Thursday by an agent called Ultimate. They were seen holding different kinds of weapons as they started to assault people who built houses on some parts of the land and threatened them to vacate the community or make a repayment.
“They came again on Friday and started to shoot anyhow to scare people away. That was when they got to where the labourers were working and fired gunshots at them and a bullet hit Femi in the back when he tried to escape. Another worker was also shot in the arm.”
The deceased victim was said to have been rushed to the hospital but did not make it there alive.
“Some residents immediately put him on a motorcycle and rushed him to the hospital but he died on the way. His corpse was later taken to a nearby police station. Though we were later told that his remains will be taken to Eleweran tomorrow,” the resident added.
Our correspondent learnt that the deceased got engaged to his pregnant lover last December and was preparing to marry her before he met his untimely death.
The other worker who was also shot in the arm is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed location.
The incident was said to have caused panic in the area as residents and business owners scampered to safety. Normalcy had since been restored after the police visited the scene of the incident.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident.
She said, “About forty people invaded a village in the Mowe area shot sporadically. Bullets hit two people in the process. While trying to escape, they snatched four motorcycles at gunpoint. They left behind a Toyota Camry and a gold colour Saloon car which are presently at the Mowe police station. One Monsuru Ishola has been indicted as an informant and currently undergoing questioning, for allegedly playing a role.”
“Three suspects in connection with the incident have been arrested at a hideout in Kara Ileke village via Mowe. Their names and identity will be published in the course of further updates.”
