NIGERIA (Ogun)-There was pandemonium yesterday in Eleweran, Abeokuta. The Ogun State capital, when a Police Corporal identified as Sunkanmi Ogunbiyi reportedly shot dead his wife, Corporal Oluwatosin Faremi, six others and himself.

It was gathered that Sunkanmi Ogunbiyi, after night shift, did not returned his rifle to the Police armoury. He allegedly went home with it and shot his wife, who was attached to Obantoko Divisional Police Headquarters, while she was about to leave for work.

Ogunbiyi spared his two children, who were dressed for school, and went to the front of their compound, where he shot a commercial motorcyclist simply identified as Kunle, who was there to pick up Ogunbiyi’s wife and children.

Sources said as residents ran to safety, Ogunbiyi dashed into the apartment of his landlady, popularly called Iya Basira, who was sleeping on a mat and rained bullets on her. She died immediately.

The landlady’s two sons, Taofeek, an SSII pupil of Nawar-u-Deen Grammar School, Obantoko and his elder brother, Sikiru, were not spared. Ogunbiyi shot them too.

The woman’s daughter, Basira, and her two-year-old daughter, Jesutofunmi, were shot by Ogunbiyi.

When the dust finally settled, eight persons, including Ogunbiyi, were dead.

Three survivors, who sustained gunshot injuries during the attack, were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba. The remains of the dead were taken to the morgue of the State Hospital, Ijaiye.

While speaking about the incident, the Police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi described the incident as “unfortunate”, adding that the late Ogunbiyi had been having “domestic conflicts” with his wife.

“The unfortunate incident occurred this morning when the corporal, who had been having domestic conflicts with his wife, shot and killed six persons with his rifle, including his wife, Woman Corporal Oluwatosin Faremi; his landlady; a two-year-old baby girl; two males and one female. Three persons were injured and are receiving treatment at the FMC. The said corporal, having killed these persons, shot himself dead immediately.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, described the incident as unfortunate. He has visited the scene with other senior police officers in the command to assess the situation and sympathise with the relations of the deceased and members of the Akingbala Ifelodun Estate in Eleweran Area, Abeokuta, where the incident took place.

“The command has commenced thorough forensic investigation into the killing and promised to make sure justice is done in the matter. The commissioner of police appeals to the public to perceive the incident as one of the unfortunate social mishaps and not to judge the police based on it. The police are committed to the protection of life and property and will not tolerate violation of people’s right