How Armed Robbers Killed my Husband — Widow of Ibadan Journalist

Tears flowed uncontrollably from the faces of the Spiritual Leader and Founder of the One Love Family, Sat Guru Maharaj Ji, delegates, journalists, and other sympathisers as the widow of slain Ibadan journalist, Mrs. Olubunmi Peters, narrated how her husband, Ojo Peters, was shot dead by armed robbers.

Peters, the publisher of Daily Monitor Online blog and media aide to Maharaj Ji, was killed in a daylight armed robbery attack at Oke-Ado, in the Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, on August 18, 2025.

Following the attack, police investigations led to the arrest of a suspect, while another reportedly died during a confrontation with operatives around Nigerian Tribune House, Imalefalafia, Ibadan.

Peters’ killing adds to growing concerns over violent crime in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State, where cases of armed robbery and cult-related clashes have been on the rise.

In recent years, security agencies have intensified efforts to curb motorcycle-assisted robberies, which remain a common tactic used by criminals in urban centres.

The state police command, through its spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso, said two suspects linked to a string of robberies in Ibadan were intercepted with a motorcycle around Imalefalafia.

He said, “One of the suspects who attempted to resist arrest was fatally injured, while the other was apprehended and taken into custody.”

The police assured that investigations were ongoing, noting that further updates would be communicated as the case progressed.

Olubunmi, while receiving Maharaj Ji’s delegation at their Siba residence in Apata, in the Ido Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday, said the gruesome killing of her husband has left the family in deep emotional and financial distress.

The woman, alongside her daughters, who betrayed emotions, narrated how the late journalist was shot three times by armed robbers who followed him on a motorcycle from the bank where he had gone to withdraw N10,000 on that fateful day.

Olubunmi explained that her late husband took a motorcycle immediately after coming out of the bank at Oke-Ado around 2 p.m., as he wanted to meet up with an appointment at Molete.

The widow said, “We were told that one of the robbers came down from the bike and demanded that my husband give him the cross bag he was carrying. As a man, my husband initially challenged the audacity of the robber, but when the robber showed him a gun, he voluntarily gave the cross bag to him.

“Immediately, the armed robber collected the cross bag. He threw it to the other one on the bike. Ojo wanted to run away from the scene, but the armed robber released a bullet and shot him three times in the stomach.

“I was told that my husband fell into a drainage as he was struggling to call for help. There was nobody to rescue him, as everybody had run for safety. It was over an hour before people came back to the scene and found him grappling for his life. Nobody could touch him because of the fear of a police case.

“They had to call the police. By the time the police arrived, my husband had lost a lot of blood; they met him holding his stomach where the bullets had hit him. They arranged to take him to a nearby hospital, but before getting there, he gave up the ghost.

“That is how they suddenly turned me into a widow. My husband left home to go for his duties as a journalist; I didn’t know that I wouldn’t see him again. He was the breadwinner of the family; he has now left our two daughters for me.”

Olubunmi, therefore, appealed to the Oyo State Government and the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists to come to the family’s aid during this trying period.

“He loved his children so much; he wanted the best for them. Now, he is no more. I’m only helping someone to sell day-old chicks at Obasanjo Farm on Mondays and Thursdays. The state government should please come to our aid; the state NUJ should please assist the family he left behind,” she pleaded.

She expressed appreciation to Maharaj Ji for showing love to the family since he heard about the sad incident a few weeks ago.

Peters left behind two daughters, Blessing (15 years) and Ajibola (9 years).

PUNCH Online reports that journalists in Nigeria continue to face significant risks in the line of duty, ranging from harassment and threats to violence, particularly in areas with high crime rates or political tensions.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists has repeatedly called on authorities to improve the safety of media practitioners and strengthen community policing. https://punchng.com/nuj-slams-nrc-md-over-assault-on-journalist-demands-apology/

The emotional appeal from Peters’ widow reflects the broader struggles of families of crime victims, many of whom face not only grief but also economic hardship following the loss of their breadwinners.