The assassination of Chief Bola Ige, Nigeria’s former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, remains unsolved 24 years after the tragic event took place on December 23, 2001. His murder has continued to be a source of intrigue and mystery, drawing public attention to the strange circumstances surrounding his death.
Biodun Showunmi, a social commentator, discussed the puzzling nature of Ige’s murder in an interview on TVC News. He noted that despite Ige having full security detail as a serving Attorney General, his security team claimed to have been absent during the incident, allegedly out eating while the assassination occurred. This has left many questioning the lack of protection for such a high-ranking official.
Ige was murdered in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the tenure of Governor Adeshina of Oyo State, while Baba Akande served as the governor of neighboring Osun State. The political backdrop of the time has contributed to various speculations and theories surrounding the circumstances of his death.
In his remarks, "Baba Akande was the governor of Osun State when Bola Ige was killed. Bola Ige was killed in Ibadan, OYO state, when Adeshina was the governor of the state. Rasheed Ladoja wasn’t a governor at the time, but succeeded Adeshina after his tenure elapsed."
Rasheed Ladoja, who succeeded Governor Adeshina, has consistently stated that the case was not abandoned. However, the investigation collapsed after a private security guard who had previously identified the suspects retracted his statement. This retraction was a significant blow to the progress of the investigation, leading to the case remaining unresolved.
The unresolved status of the case continues to stir emotions and generate calls for justice. Many Nigerians remain frustrated by the lack of closure and accountability surrounding the assassination of such a prominent figure in the country’s political landscape.The murder of Bola Ige, despite numerous inquiries and attempts to find the truth, remains a tragic and baffling chapter in Nigeria's history. The questions about why the case was never fully resolved continue to linger, with Ige’s death still a mystery to this day.
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