Herdsmen killing: Anger, condemnation trail murder of Afenifere leader’s daughter

The gruesome murder of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the Chairman of Yoruba sociocultural group, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti has continued to elicit anger and wide condemnation from many Nigerians who have called in the authorities to rise and stem the rising insecurities in the country.

Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections, described the killing as ‘one death too many’.

The former vice president said the killing of the woman was totally condemnable and unacceptable.

Accordingly to a statement by his media directorate, Atiki 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!”

Also reacting, the Yorùbá Summit Group, YSG, expressed bitterness over the dastardly act, vowing that Yoruba would take a more holistic stand over the matter in due course.

Accordingly, YSG, through , a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, said: “With great Sorrow and Sadness, we the Yoruba Nation, announce the gruesome killing of the daughter of the Leader of Afẹ́nifẹ́re, Barrister Funke Fasoranti Olakunrin today, as she was on her way to Lagos from visiting her aged father, Pa Reuben Fasoranti (OFR) at Àkúrẹ́.

“Funke, a lawyer and banker at 58 years, became the latest victim of the murderous Fulani herdsmen at the Ọ̀rẹ̀ junction.

“And at this juncture, The Yorùbá Summit Group, the Umbrella Body of All Yoruba groups, will have to say to the whole Yoruba Nation that we have just about had enough of this Evil union that has failed the 60 million strong Yoruba people, yet again.

“Just today, the Yoruba Nation through the Yoruba Summit Group, comprising of 80 groups, rose with one voice after our Plenary at the home of our Leader Pa Ayo Adebanjo, with far reaching decisions.

“To, therefore, be bashed, buffeted with such a gruesome death in the heart of the Yoruba Nation, will not be allowed to happen without profound and fundamental consequences.

“The Yoruba are no more ready to continue to carry the burden of an ungrateful, unfruitful union.

“There will be a more comprehensive and definitive statement coming forth to the Yoruba Nation from the Yoruba Summit Group, in due course.

“And to the enablers, prevaricators, protectors of the itinerant murdering Fulani herdsmen, a plea — Leave us to mourn and bury our Dead,” he said.