Tragedy struck on Monday night, June 5, as gunmen killed a young and promising professor of the prestigious University of Ibadan, Opeyemi Isaac Ajewole. The professor, who was a lecturer in the Department of Forest Resources Management of the institution, was said to have been shot dead in the Olororo, Ojoo area of Ibadan while on his way home to Moniya.
According to sources, the assailants waylaid him and shot him multiple times before making away with his Toyota Corolla car. It was a brutal and senseless attack that has sent shockwaves through the academic community and beyond.
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A staff of the university who confirmed the incident to The Nation described Ajewole as a “pleasant person, humble and easy-going”. The news of his death has left many of his colleagues and students in shock, with many describing him as a brilliant scholar and inspiring teacher.
The University of Ibadan has also released a statement expressing its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. The statement, signed by Joke Akinpelu, Principal Assistant Registrar of Public Communications at the institution, described Ajewole’s death as a great loss to the academic community.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of the untimely death of our colleague, Opeyemi Isaac Ajewole,” the statement read. “He was a dedicated and hardworking member of our faculty who had a passion for teaching and research. His loss is not only felt within our institution but across the academic community.”
The statement also called for a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure that justice is served and the perpetrators of the heinous crime are brought to book.
The killing of Ajewole has once again brought to the fore the growing insecurity in the country and the need for the government to take urgent steps to address the issue. Over the years, Nigeria has witnessed a sharp increase in cases of violence and insecurity, with many innocent citizens falling victim to armed robbers, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.
The government has been urged to take decisive action to address the issue and restore law and order across the country. Security agencies have also been called upon to be more proactive in their efforts to combat crime and protect the lives and property of citizens.
In the meantime, tributes continue to pour in for the late professor, with many people taking to social media to express their shock and sadness at his untimely death. Colleagues and students of Ajewole have described him as a brilliant scholar, a committed teacher, and a role model to many.
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The academic community has lost a bright and promising mind, and his death is a stark reminder of the dangers that scholars face in carrying out their work. The University of Ibadan, along with the rest of the academic community, will continue to mourn his loss and honor his memory.
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