Olumide Adebayo, who served as the personal driver to the late Hon. Temitope Olatoye, popularly called “Sugar,” has shared chilling details of the violent ambush that claimed the lawmaker’s life on March 9, 2019, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Adebayo narrowly escaped the attack, saying he continues to live in fear the killers may come after him.
Olatoye, who was representing the Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was shot and killed in Elesu village located in the Lalupon area under Lagelu Local Government, shortly after taking part in the governorship elections.
In an emotional interview, Adebayo recalled that day as the most terrifying experience he has ever had.
“After we left the polling unit, my boss said we should go check on our party representatives in Lalupon. I had a bad feeling about it but I couldn’t object. As we drove toward Elesu, everything suddenly felt eerily quiet. Then, out of nowhere, we were ambushed,” Adebayo recounted.
He said the attackers were armed and opened fire without warning.
“My boss was shot in the face. There was blood everywhere. I panicked, jumped out of the car and ran barefoot through the bush. I knew they were trying to kill me too. I didn’t stop running until I found shelter in a nearby hut,” he said.
Olatoye was later taken to the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan but declared dead due to gunshot injuries to his head.
Even after managing to flee, Adebayo said his troubles didn’t end there. He lives in constant fear and remains in hiding.
“I believe the attackers also wanted me dead. I was very close to my boss and they may think I know something that could expose them. I’ve been in hiding ever since. I can’t go home or sleep in peace. I need protection,” he pleaded.
The killing sparked widespread outrage across political circles and among civil society groups, many of whom have called for a thorough investigation and justice for the late lawmaker.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed that one suspect had been apprehended and investigations were ongoing.
Olatoye had run for the Oyo Central Senatorial seat in the 2019 elections under the Action Democratic Party (ADP), after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2018 a move that stirred significant political tension in the state.
Now receiving psychological support, Adebayo is urging security agencies to provide protection, as he continues to fear for his life because of his close connection to the late politician.
“I relive that day constantly. I saw death with my own eyes and since then, every day feels like I’m reliving that horror,” he said.
