Tragedy As Vigilante Shoots Self Dead While Scaring Away Thieves

Ogundare Ekundayo, a member of a neighborhood watch,  has shot himself dead while attempting to scare away thieves from the Ebute-Meta area of Lagos State.

The deceased was among a three-man team guarding Osholanke Street, Elute Meta. There were, however, two of them on duty on the fateful day. It was gathered that around 4am, when they were expected to round off work, Ekundayo reportedly shot into the air to scare away lurking thieves as was the guards’ custom.

As he fired a shot, the bullet hit an object which ricocheted it towards him. The bullet was said to have struck him in the head. His duty colleague, Fatai Raimi, reportedly ran to the spot upon hearing the shot, and discovered the victim dead.

The case was reported at the Denton Police Division while Ekundayo’s remains were taken to the Mainland General Hospital mortuary. The police arrested Raimi, who insisted that he was innocent. He said,

“I have known the deceased for some time now. He was my boss; he recruited me into the vigilance group, but we were employed by the community. 

“There were three of us guarding Osholanke Street, but the third person did not come that day because he was ill. 

“My master (Ekundayo) and I were together, but when it was getting to 4am, he went down the street alone. 

“I suddenly heard a shot from his gun and I rushed there only to see he had mistakenly shot himself dead.”