Atiku Reacts To Killing Of Funke Olakunrin By ‘Herdsmen’

Atiku Abubakar, the 2019 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party, has condemned the killing of  Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, by persons suspected to be herdsmen.

Yaahoo Journalist had reported earlier that the spokesman for Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, announced the death of the daughter of the Afenifere Chairman in a terse message sent to The PUNCH on Friday.

Odumakin said late Mrs. Olakunrin, a 58-year-old woman, was heading to Ore Junction from Akure, Ondo State when she was attacked and shot by the herdsmen.

The statement quoted the spokesman for Afenifere, to have said: “We have confirmed the death of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin (58), daughter of our leader, Chief Fasoranti.

“Eyewitness accounts say she died of gunshots from Fulani herdsmen who shot her at Ore junction in Ondo State earlier today.

“She was coming from Akure when the armed Fulani herdsmen came from the bush to attack her and other vehicles.

“Her domestic staff in the car with her also sustained gunshots.

“This is one death too many and a clear we-can-take-it-no-more death,” the statement by issued by Odumakin on Friday said.

Reacting to the development in a statement personally signed by him and published on the micro-blogging site, Twitter, Abubakar said: “I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Chief Reuben Fasoranti, the Chairman of Afenifere. This is one death too many.

“I call on the security services to initiate speedy and thorough investigations to bring her killers to book and stem the epidemic of insecurity in our land. My prayers and deep compassion go to Chief Reuben Fasoranti, his family and the entire membership of Afenifere.

“My family and I stand shoulder to shoulder with you at this trying time, even as we pray for the repose of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin’s soul. Peace must return to Nigeria, by every means possible. Enough of this. Enough of this!”

I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, daughter of Chief Reuben Fasoranti, the Chairman of Afenifere. This is one death too many.

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) July 12, 2019

I call on the security services to initiate speedy and thorough investigations to bring her killers to book and stem the epidemic of insecurity in our land.

My prayers and deep compassion go to Chief Reuben Fasoranti, his family and the entire membership of Afenifere.

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) July 12, 2019

My family and I stand shoulder to shoulder with you at this trying time, even as we pray for the repose of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin’s soul. Peace must return to Nigeria, by every means possible. Enough of this. Enough of this! -AA

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) July 12, 2019