A burial ceremony in Ayeka, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, turned tragic when a traditional high chief, High Chief Akinwalere Akinola, was shot dead while attending the funeral rites of a fellow traditional title holder.
Akinola was among community members gathered for the ceremony when a firearm was suddenly discharged, triggering panic among mourners.
Sources said the bullet struck Akinola in the head, killing him instantly.
“During the programme, a firearm was discharged. The bullet struck High Chief Akinwalere directly in the head, resulting in his instant death,” a source said.
The shooting threw the gathering into confusion as mourners reportedly fled the scene amid uncertainty over how the firearm was discharged.
Although preliminary accounts suggested that the shooting may have resulted from an accidental discharge, the circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear as of press time.
The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the incident and disclosed that one suspect had been arrested.
“One suspect arrested. Meanwhile, thorough investigation has commenced,” Jimoh said.
The police investigation is expected to determine how the firearm was discharged and establish the circumstances surrounding Akinola’s death.
The incident has plunged the Ayeka community into mourning, turning a ceremony intended to honour a deceased traditional title holder into another tragedy with the sudden death of a prominent chief.
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