Tragedy struck on Thursday in Onikerosine community in Ondo
East Local Government Area of Ondo State when a 30-year-old palm wine tapper
was shot dead by a hunter.
It was gathered that Sunday Olubusade, the 56-year-old
hunter, shot the deceased palm wine tapper while he was having a bath in a
river after work in the farm.
The suspect claimed that when he pointed his gun and pulled
the trigger, he saw an antelope rather than a person.
“I was hunting and I saw an antelope and shot at it. But
later, I saw a man on the floor and I quickly went to the station to report. I
don’t know what happened.
Meanwhile, the tragedy has continued to draw reactions in
the community. Some family members and friends were spotted sitting in groups
discussing the development while others wore mournful expressions.
Following the incident, police officers were sent to the
community to increase security in order to prevent any attacks by community
members who might have been preparing to avenge the victim’s death.
A police source who confirmed the incident said an
investigation into the matter was ongoing.
“Immediately the police were alerted by the suspect,
personnel were mobilised to the scene and the corpse was evacuated to the
mortuary.