A suspected armed robbery attack has claimed the life of a popular refrigeration and air-conditioning technician, Idris Clement, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, with the police confirming the arrest of one suspect in connection with the incident.
The 47-year-old father of five was reportedly killed in the early hours of Sunday after a gang of armed robbers invaded the Shagari area of Akure South Local Government Area, attacking residents and carting away valuables.
Residents said the hoodlums, believed to be about three in number, had robbed two houses in the neighbourhood before forcing their way into Clement’s residence at about 1 a.m.
One of the deceased’s sons, AbdulFatai Clement, told our correspondent that his father confronted the attackers in an attempt to protect his family, unaware that they were heavily armed.
According to him, the robbers attacked his father with axes and cutlasses before one of them pulled out a gun and shot him at close range.
He said, “The robbers had attacked other houses before coming into ours. My father confronted one of them to defend the family, not knowing there were about three or four of them. They attacked him with axes and cutlasses before one of them brought out a gun and shot him. We rushed him to the hospital, but he had lost so much blood, and the doctors confirmed him dead.”
The deceased’s widow, Taibat Clement, appealed to the Ondo State Government and security agencies to ensure that those responsible for her husband’s death were arrested and prosecuted, describing him as a peaceful and responsible family man.
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command said one suspect had been arrested in connection with the robbery and murder.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, said security operatives arrested the suspect, and he is currently in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), where he is assisting detectives with their investigation.
He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects and ensure that all those involved face the full weight of the law.
