Bank Robbery: Murdered Elizade University PRO Finally Laid To Rest

The remains of the late newly-appointed Public Relations Officer of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, Olubunmi Afuye, has been laid to rest.

The late PRO, a policeman and a bike man were killed by armed robbers on the 15th of July, 2021 during a robbery attack on a branch of United Bank of Africa (UBA), in Ilara-Mokin.

Olubunmi Afuye, popularly known as Bumbam, earlier worked at the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation (OSRC) and Orange FM, Akure, before he was appointed as the institution’s PRO by the Elizade University management.

The burial service of the broadcaster was held at the St. Thomas Anglican Church, Isinkan, Akure, on Monday the 19th of July 2021, and was attended by family, friends and church members who came to pay their last respects to the Officer.

On the 18th of July, a candlelight procession was held by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), in honour of Olubunmi Afuye from the Adegbemile Cultural Centre to NUJ Secretariat.

The candlelight procession had media personalities, social media influencers and journalists around. 

Describing the death of Bumbam as a sad one, the Chairman of NUJ in Ondo state, Comrade Adetona Aderoboye said the life of the late broadcaster was cut short. He called on the state government and security agencies to ensure the perpetrators of such acts do not go scot-free but are caught and punished, according to the law.

“We will surely miss Bunmi’s huge contributions to Ondo NUJ and unionism in the state as he anchored last December’s NUJ Press Week and this year’s Workers’ Day celebrations free of charge while many of our members had benefited from his media expertise.

“We equally condole families and colleagues of the policeman and Motorcyclist killed in the bank robbery.

The Union also declared seven days of mourning in honour of the departed soul.

“While declaring seven days of mourning in honour of our slain member popularly known as “BUMBAM,” Ondo NUJ demands that security operatives should do everything humanly possible to bring the perpetrators of the heinous act to justice within the shortest time.”

The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, had earlier visited the family of the deceased in Akure. The Governor described the death of Afuye as a very pathetic and unbearable one. He stressed that those who committed the act will be brought to book and face the law.

Olubunmi Afuye hailed from Ekiti state was a sports presenter and member of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) 

He was aged 43 and he is survived by his wife, two daughters, an aged mother and family members.