LUTH doctor abducted, killed in Ogun hometown.

Olaleye Aluko

Suspected hoodlums on Sunday abducted and killed a doctor with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Thomas Adekoya-Cole, in the Itele area of Ijebu, Ogun State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that 60-year-old Adekoya-Cole, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with LUTH, was murdered while in his hometown to attend a public function.

Our correspondent gathered that Adekoya-Cole was cut with matchets after some hoodlums attacked him around 7.30am on Sunday.

It was learnt that the matter was reported at the police Area Command, Ijebu, and the Igbeba Police Division.

Our correspondent gathered that the doctor was initially rushed to a private hospital in the area, where he was confirmed dead.

A source in Ijebu Ode told PUNCH Metro that the hoodlums came to Akongi Street, in the Itele area of Ijebu, where some traditional worshippers were holding rites and initially hacked one of them, identified as Omotayo Ogunbowale, to death.

He added that in the ensuing pandemonium, the worshippers and other people present fled to their houses for safety.

It was, however, gathered that the hoodlums came again at about 7am on Sunday and killed Adekoya-Cole.

The source said, “There was a traditional festival on Saturday, and Adekoya-Cole attended the event from his base in Lagos. The rite was held on Akongi Street in Itele-Ijebu and during the festival, some worshippers were attacked by hoodlums and one Omotayo Ogunbowale was killed.

“On Sunday, the hoodlums came again, abducted Adekoya-Cole from his house and hacked him to death. The matter was reported at the Igbeba Police Division and to the Police Area Command, also in Igbeba.”

Another source added that a clash had broken out among the worshippers, which led to the crisis and the killings.

He said, “Trouble started on Saturday when a native doctor at the festival was abducted and killed by suspected hoodlums. There was a clash among the worshippers. Everyone fled to their houses. On Sunday, the LUTH doctor’s house in Itele was stormed by hoodlums and he was later found with matchet injuries.

“He was rushed to a private hospital in Ijebu Ode, where he died.”

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the murders, said eight suspects had been arrested in connection with both cases.

Adejobi added that the suspects would be transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigations, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

He said, “On Saturday, Dr Adekoya-Cole attended an Ogun ritual in the area, but a clash broke out. One of the worshippers, Ogunbowale, was hacked to death. The doctor thereafter returned to his house. However on Sunday around 7am, the hoodlums attacked and killed him in his house.

“So, we are having two murder cases. The police have arrested eight suspects in connection with the cases. We are going to transfer the suspects to SDCI, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“The police are fully in charge. The doctor’s corpse has been removed to a mortuary in Ijebu Ode.”

The spokesperson for LUTH, Kelechi Otuneme, confirmed that Adekoya-Cole was one of their surgeons.

He added that the hospital had yet to officially release a statement.

He said, “Yes, he is one of our consultant surgeons. We do not have an official statement yet. That might be done on Monday. But we have heard the news.”