The Ijede community in Ikorodu, Lagos State, is in mourning following the brutal assassination of All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship aspirant, Oluwatosin Onamade. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at his residence on Oluwatosin Onamade Street, a road named in his honor.
According to his brother, Oluwafemi Onamade, the assailants—two unidentified gunmen dressed in black—had been monitoring the deceased prior to the attack. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers initially fired gunshots at Onamade; when the bullets failed to penetrate, they resorted to using machetes, inflicting fatal wounds to his head and face.
This tragic event is not an isolated incident. In 2021, Onamade survived a similar attack during which his staff member, Ifeanyi Godfrey, was killed. The assailants butchered Godfrey, shot him in the head, and disposed of his body in an empty coffin at a funeral home owned by Onamade. During the same attack, Oluwafemi sustained severe injuries while defending his brother.
At the time, Onamade had reported receiving threats aimed at disrupting APC leadership meetings held at his residence. Despite lodging complaints with the police and informing party leaders about the escalating threats, the attacks persisted.
The recent assassination has heightened concerns about political violence in Ijede. A close associate of Onamade, who wished to remain anonymous, emphasized the urgency for authorities to address the rampant violence targeting political figures in the area.
The Lagos State Police Command has acknowledged the incident and initiated an investigation. The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that efforts are underway to unravel the circumstances surrounding the murder.
The assassination of Onamade underscores the perils faced by grassroots political aspirants and the pressing need for enhanced security measures to protect individuals participating in the democratic process. The community and supporters of the late aspirant are now calling on authorities to ensure that justice is served and to implement strategies to curb political violence in Ijede and beyond.
