For praying in tongues, armed robbers kill undergraduate in Ibadan

HER sister was given a revelation and asked to pray against untimely death. She joined her sister on a three-day fast. On the last day of the fast, she was breaking her fast with a bottle of coke when armed robbers barged into their apartment (where she lived with her elder sister, grandmother and a care giver) wielding locally made guns.

The bandits ransacked the house. Valuables, including phones and available cash, were creamed off all occupants. Then one of the robbers threatened to shoot the sister (who had been warned of untimely death). Her 24-year-old younger sister then started praying, speaking in tongues.

This infuriated one of the robbers, who was apparently drunk and high on drugs. He turned his gun on the lady and shot her point blank. Her last cry was ‘Jesus!’ And she died.
This was the tragic story of Miss Folajomi Agunbiade, who was killed by armed robbers in her residence at Alasia-Amosun area of Monatan, Ibadan, on Thursday, August 22.
The police were reportedly called at 9.45pm after the armed robbers had left, and were said to have visited the house immediately the distress call was received.

Saturday Tribune learnt, however, that the victim’s sister said that the incident occurred at about 9pm.

According to a source who lives in the community but who craved anonymity, “the sister of the deceased said that the two armed robbers came with locally made guns. She said they started banging their fists on the door and, when the door was opened, they saw that the intruders were armed robbers.”

The bandits were said to have packed about six phones that were being charged. It was further learnt that a power generator was on at the time so neighbours were unaware of what was going on.

The armed robbers were said to have been reeking of alcohol. One of them reportedly demanded money from the lady’s grandmother, but the other cautioned him to leave her alone as they had earlier collected about N20,000 from her.

It was after this that this same robber pointed a gun at the elder sister, which prompted the younger sister to start praying and speaking in tongues – which infuriated the robber, who turned and shot her.

Saturday Tribune was also reliably informed that the deceased was a student of the Ondo State University, Akungba-Akoko, and was at home at the time of the incident owing to the ongoing ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) strike which had kept university students at home in the past two months.

After the robbery, the two-man gang locked their victims in and went away with the key. Neighbours were said to have been alerted when they started hearing the cries of the occupants.

According to reports, the armed robbers even walked past some of the residents of the area, who even greeted them without knowing they armed robbers.

The source further disclosed that the mother of the two sisters live abroad while their father is based in Ondo State. The bereaved elder sister of the lady said though family members had been informed of the tragedy, she could not summon the courage to call their father to inform him of his daughter’s death.

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police has ordered that the culprits be fished out and brought to justice.