Residents of Akure woke up to a heartbreaking tragedy as Mr. Adeniran Ezekiel Imoleayo, the Registrar of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) in Ondo City, was confirmed dead in what the police are now treating as a suspected murder.
The incident, which happened on Tuesday, July 16, 2025, has left the academic community and the entire Ondo State in shock.
According to police sources who spoke to security analyst Zagazola Makama, Mr. Adeniran had stepped outside his home at Olopa to Di Woli area, just off Ondo Road, to check a strange sound coming from his rooftop. But what he met was far from ordinary.
“Na from inside bush two strange men just waka come out,” one resident quietly shared. “Before we know wetin dey happen, dem grab am.”
The two attackers allegedly overpowered him and forcefully gave him a liquid substance believed to be poison. Then, they disappeared into the night, leaving him lying helpless in his compound.
Not long after, his driver, Mr. Olowoyo Odunayo Adewale, came into the compound, only to find his boss unconscious.
“The driver try rush am go Police Hospital for Akure,” police said. “But by the time dem reach there, the medical officer just shake head — e don already die.”
His body was later taken to Divine Haven Mortuary, Akure, where it’s being preserved for autopsy as investigations continue.
The Ondo State Police Command has since swung into action. Detectives have combed the crime scene and already transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further, discreet investigation.
In a fresh update, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) led a patrol team to a known hideout in the area. There, they managed to arrest a suspect believed to be linked to the attack.
“Dem don hand over the suspect to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad,” police confirmed. “Right now, interrogation dey go on.”
The late Mr. Adeniran wasn’t just any public servant — he was a respected academic administrator. His appointment as the third substantive Registrar of UNIMED was announced by the university’s Governing Council during its 23rd meeting on August 22, 2024. He officially took office on January 6, 2025.
“This man no even spend full year for office,” one UNIMED staff member said in disbelief. “He get plans, he get vision — now look how e take end.”
The university community is said to be in deep mourning, with staff, students, and friends describing Mr. Adeniran as humble, committed, and always willing to help.
Now, everyone is asking one painful question: Who would want him dead? And why?
As investigations unfold, the people of Ondo State — and indeed the nation — are hoping for justice.
“This kain thing no suppose happen for broad daylight,” one resident said. “Na human being be that — person papa, husband, leader. We need to know wetin really happen.”
