Inaolaji Akinloye Cries Out for Help As Unknown Assailant Threatens His Life

Former Gov. Ajimobi’s Aide, Liaison Officer on Information and a popular Ibadan based social commentator, Mr Inaolaji Akinloye Ridwan, has alleged threat to his life, and petitioned Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Shina Olukolu.

In a petition dated February 5, 2020 and addressed to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Inaolaji Akinloye Ridwan alleged that on the 24th day of January, 2020, briefly after contributing on a call in radio programme in Ibadan, he received a call on his contact phone number by an unknown person around 11:37pm in the late hours of the midnight who threatened him severely and severally with death. The governor’s aide added that the said unknown person again warned him brutally never to participate ( call in to contribute or attend any radio programme as guest) in any radio station or other on air presentation, emphasising it that his life has been heavily paid for.

The petition written by his lawyer Othniel Idowu Falana ESQ, on behalf of Inaolaji titled “Petition Against Incessant Threat to Life of Inaolaji Akinloye Ridwan By An Unknown Individual and Appeal to Safe The Life of Inaolaji Akinloye Ridwan From Untimely Death And Constant Threat to His Life” respectively.

According to the petition, following this constant threat by the said unknown person, Inaolaji had approached the Akobo Police Station to lodge a complaint, where he was asked to write a statement in that regard for appropriate documentation and swift response to the complaints . He also informed that he went to the Oyo State Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Dugbe division to further lodge the complaints of incessant threat to his life.

The petition reads in part, “It is our client instruction to us that on the 24th day of January, 2020, briefly after contributing to a radio call in programme in Ibadan, Oyo state, he received a call on his contact phone number( withheld) by an unknown person around 11:37pm in the late hours of the midnight who threatened him severely and severally with death. Furthermore, our client informed us that the said unknown assailant again warned him sternly never to participate (call in to contribute or attend any invited radio programme) in any radio station or other on air presentation again, stating further that our client’s life has been heavily paid for.

“On the following day around the same time, the unknown person in further effort called our client reminding him of his previous threat to kill him thereby telling our client to get really prepared as he was set to kill our client before the end of last month, January 2020. This was also followed with series of continuous threat by the same unknown person to our client and this has made our client to continue to live in danger and apprehension of losing his life untimely.

“Following this constant threat by the said unknown person, our client approached the Akobo Police Station to lodge a complaint, where he was asked to write a statement in that regard for appropriate documentation and swift response to the said complaint. Our client also informed us that he went to the Oyo State Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Dugbe division to further lodge the complaint of incessant threat to his life by this unknown individual.

He added, “Notwithstanding, the all legal and important steps our client has taken to ensure safety of his life and property, it is however unfortunate for our client to have received another phone call from the same unknown assailant on Thursday, the 30th day of January, 2020 around 11:22am where he was again threatened, and now with a more fearful, serious and lethal intention from the unknown person. Our client informed us that the unknown person told him to read about the story of a Barber at Gbaremu who was brutally assassinated and he should thread caution otherwise he may have to pay with his dear life.

“We therefore write to inform your good office and also to appeal to you that the life and property of our client is very precious just like that of every other individual citizen of this great country and hence should be protected jealously without reservation. Our client has the right to be able to move freely and make meaningful contributions to the development of our dear country provided he does same under the ambit of the law. Which if our client has even even acted outside the law, he has to be properly tried for same and not arbitrarily threatened and killed by any person known or unknown.

” The Nigerian Police Force as recognized under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and like every other security agencies that have been so established and empowered by the law has the constitutional duty to protect and safeguard the life and property of all the citizens of Nigeria without bias or discrimination. Therefore, we urge and humbly plead with you sir to kindly use your good office and every other mercenaries necessarily incidental to ensuring the safeguard and protection of our client’s life”.

He, however sought police protection against possible attacks on him, urging the Police boss to begin a discreet investigation with a view to bring the unknown assailant to book in the best interest of justice.