UNIMED Registrar Assassinated In Ondo, Police Launch Investigation.
The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the tragic assassination of Mr Ezekiel Imoleayo Adeniran, the Registrar of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) in Ondo, Nigeria. The shocking incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, 17 July 2025, has plunged the university community and the wider Ondo State into mourning.
Mr Adeniran, aged 41, was found dead at his residence in Ondo town, with preliminary investigations pointing to a deliberate act of murder. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Olusola Ayanlade, two unidentified assailants emerged from a nearby bush and forced a substance, suspected to be poison, into the victim’s mouth. “I can confirm to you that the man was killed,” Ayanlade stated in a telephone conversation with Channels Television. “The incident was reported at Fanibi Division, Akure, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigative Department for a thorough investigation.”
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear, with police yet to confirm the exact location or motive. However, sources suggest that Mr Adeniran may have been targeted after stepping outside his home to investigate a strange noise on his roof. His driver, Mr Olowoyo Odunayo Adewale, discovered him unconscious and rushed him to the Police Hospital in Akure, where he was pronounced dead.
Mr Adeniran, who assumed office as UNIMED’s third substantive Registrar on 6 January 2025, was described as a dedicated and hardworking professional whose contributions significantly advanced the university’s growth. The institution’s Head of Media and Protocol, Mr Isaac Oluyi, released a statement expressing profound grief: “The devastating news has thrown the university into mourning. He was still at his duty post on Monday, 14 July 2025. His sudden demise is shocking, and the cause of his death is yet to be officially determined.”
Tributes have poured in from staff and students, who remembered Mr Adeniran as a humble and efficient leader. The university’s Head of Human Resources, M.A. Akinkuade, added, “The late Registrar’s commitment to the progress of UNIMED will be deeply remembered. Our thoughts are with his family and the entire university community during this difficult time.”
The police have appealed to the public for information to aid their investigation, assuring confidentiality for anyone who comes forward. “We are doing everything possible to unravel the circumstances and track those responsible,” Ayanlade said. One suspect has reportedly been arrested and handed over to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, but further details remain undisclosed as the investigation continues.
The tragic loss of Mr Adeniran, just six months into his tenure, has raised concerns about security in Ondo State, with residents and the university community calling for swift justice. His remains have been deposited at a morgue in a nearby hospital, pending the conclusion of investigations.
The UNIMED community has yet to announce official mourning protocols, but the outpouring of grief underscores the profound impact of Mr Adeniran’s leadership and the deep sense of loss felt by all who knew him.