Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers, on Friday afternoon, shot dead the driver of the wife of former governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Kemi Alao-Akala,  Alhaji Aladi Ajikobi, around Bodija GRA, Ibadan.

The robbers, according to sources, had trailed Alhaji Ajikobi who was driving a black Ford Jeep, on motorcycle, on his way from a bank.

The sources further hinted that the driver, who hails from Ilorin, Kwara State, was almost entering the Akala’s house before the robbers pounced on him, shot him dead and went away with valuables.

A media assistant to the former governor, Ademola Adeniyi, who confirmed the incident,  however, denied any assassination attempt regarding the incident.

He said “it was purely an armed robbery case. The robbers had trailed the driver who was coming from the bank. Her Excellency was not in the car but nothing sinister was suspected.”

According to him, “The driver was coming from the bank and was almost getting to his destination before the robbers attacked him.”

Adeniyi further disclosed that the matter had been taken over by the police, saying the police had commenced investigation into the incident.

When contacted, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police Olabisi Ilobanafor, confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm the incident to you. The police dragnet section has commenced full investigation into the incident. They can only run for a while but they can never escape from the network of police surveillance,” she said.