A 24-year old undergraduate of Ondo State University, Akungba-Akoko, Miss Folajomi Agunbiade was shot dead by armed robbers who were infuriated by her praying in tongues while they were robbing her family.
The robbers had attacked the Agunbiade residence at Alasia-Amosun area of Monatan, Ibadan on Thursday, August 22 at about 9pm.
The bandits, who were said to have been reeking of alcohol, have packed about six phones that were being charged. It was further learnt that a power generator was on at the time so neighbours were unaware of what was going on.
One of them reportedly demanded money from the lady’s grandmother, but the other cautioned him to leave her alone as they had earlier collected about N20,000 from her.
As they made their way ransacking the house and carting away valuables including phone and available cash, one of the robbers threatened to shoot Folajomi’s elder sister.
Folajomi then started praying and speaking in tongues. This made the robber turn the phone on her and shoot her. Her last cry was ‘Jesus’, before she fell and died.
Ironically, the robbery took place on the day the elder sister was ending a three-day fast against untimely death based on a revelation she had been given.
The sisters were living with their grandmother and a care giver. Folajomi was at home due to the on-going strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, which has kept students at home for close to two months.
The police were reportedly called at 9.45pm after the armed robbers had left, and were said to have visited the house immediately the distress call was received.
After the robbery, the two-man gang locked their victims in and went away with the key. Neighbours were said to have been alerted when they started hearing the cries of the occupants.
According to reports, the armed robbers even walked past some of the residents of the area, who even greeted them without knowing they armed robbers.
A source who lives in the community but who craved anonymity, “The sister of the deceased said that the two armed robbers came with locally made guns. She said they started banging their fists on the door and, when the door was opened, they saw that the intruders were armed robbers.”
The source further disclosed that the mother of the two sisters live abroad while their father is based in Ondo State. The bereaved elder sister of the lady said though family members had been informed of the tragedy, she could not summon the courage to call their father to inform him of his daughter’s death.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police has ordered that the culprits be fished out and brought to justice.