Nigerian Law Professor Shot Dead Few Days After Converting To Islam

Prof  Yinka Olomojobi of the Faculty of Law at Babcock University, Ilishan, Ogun State, is dead.

The Law professor was shot dead by gunmen at Ajadeh Event Centre on Sagamu Road in the Iperu area around 9.20 pm on Friday.

Two other persons were abducted by the gunmen numbering eight.

Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident, said the assailants shot the scholar on the chest for resisting the abduction.

“A report from the Iperu Division indicates that a kidnapping and murder incident occurred on the 19th of April, 2024, at about 9:20 p.m.,” Odutola said.

“It was reported that gunshots were heard at the Ajadeh Event Centre on Sagamu Road in the Iperu area in Ogun State.
“Eye witnesses were able to count eight men dressed in black and armed with guns emerged from an unknown place into the relaxing lounge and opened fire indiscriminately, where one person later identified as a lecturer at Babcock University named Olowojobi Yinka, was shot in the chest, for resisting to go away with the hoodlums, at their prompt, while a manager of a car stand, simply known as Dare “m” the third person is yet to be identified.”

She added that one person had been arrested in connection with the incident.

“A two-week-old security man was arrested based on reasonable suspicion, as police commence discreet investigation.”

“A suspicious coincidence led the police to arrest one Awada Ishaya “m” of Plateau state who was employed two weeks ago when the event center was launched as a security man for further interrogation.

“The lecturer was taken to Babcock University Teaching Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.”

The police officer disclosed that the victims would be rescued as efforts are ongoing to also arrest the culprits.

“Efforts are underway to apprehend the culprits and rescue the kidnapped victims. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops,” Odutola added.

However, an associate of the deceased, Christopher Otayemi said the deceased died few days after converting to Islam.

He said, “It is with a very heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of Professor Dr. Yinka Olomojobi (rahimahullah), whom I learnt, was killed on Friday night whilst resisting being kidnapped in Iperu, Ogun State.

“Being a recent convert to Islam, Prof. was referred to me about 3 months ago primarily because of his interest in deepening his understanding of his new faith and the need for him to get a platform to interact and engage more visibly with the Muslim Community.

“We had planned to meet physically on Sunday, 25 February 2024, at his apartment in Lagos. Allah willed that meeting would not take place because Prof. sent me a message very early that morning that he was down with malaria and requested we reschedule. All through the month of Ramadān, we were in contact via Whatsapp, and our last conversation was on 29 March 2024.

“Listening to him on phone speak about his journey to Islam (he was the only Muslim in his family) and my interaction with him, I could sense a highly cerebral scholar with deep conviction and faith in Allah. He was driven by a passion purely to please His Lord.

“Notwithstanding his status as an academic giant and legal luminary, he was humble to a fault and quite respectful in his engagement. Indeed, the eyes shed tears, and the heart grieves, and we are saddened over your departure, Prof. But we will not say except that which is pleasing to our Lord.

“May Allah overlook your shortcomings, admit you into His mercy, raise you within the ranks of the righteous, and grant you easy entry into His Jannah as a martyr.

“To the Muslim Community, you owe your brother du’a nd a befitting Janazaah.”

In Nigeria, scholars have also been targeted for kidnapping as insecurity worsens despite efforts of the federal government to stem it.

Early this year, bandits kidnapped a senior lecturer of the Department of Islamic Studies, Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Mallam Bello Janbako.
Janbako, who is also the Director, Centre for Research at FUGUS, was whisked away by the criminals from his house in Damba, Gusau around 1.30 am.