Terror returned to Akure on Monday, April 7, as Adesoji Johnson Adeleye, the CEO of Klass Five Hotel and a popular socialite, was found savagely murdered in one of the rooms of his own hotel. The brazen killing has deepened fears over rising violent crimes targeting high-profile individuals in Ondo State.
Sources revealed that the killers forced their way into the guest room where Adeleye was staying, catching him awake and preparing for the day. They overpowered him, stabbed him multiple times, and reportedly stayed until he died, before vanishing without raising suspicion. His bloodied body was discovered shortly afterward by staff.
A close friend of the deceased told reporters that both of them had spent the evening together and agreed to meet again in the morning. “He was full of life, not someone you’d expect to be gone by dawn,” the grief-stricken friend said, adding that Adeleye had no known enemies and never discussed any threats to his life.
Police authorities have confirmed the incident. Ondo State Police spokesperson, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, stated that detectives were dispatched to the scene immediately after the case was reported. The deceased’s remains were taken to the morgue, while several individuals are already being questioned. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for deeper investigation.
Adeleye’s assassination comes just weeks after the gruesome killing of another Akure-based socialite, Mrs. Olakunbi Adene, whose three domestic staff were later arrested. The repeat nature of these high-profile murders is fueling tension across Ondo, with many now questioning the state government’s grip on security.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has yet to issue a statement, but pressure is mounting on both the state and the police command to act swiftly. Civic groups and residents have demanded improved surveillance of hospitality businesses and a crackdown on armed gangs believed to be targeting wealthy residents.
The brutal murder of Adeleye, a man known for his philanthropic gestures and love for nightlife, has shattered many in Akure. Friends and colleagues held a candlelight procession on Monday night, calling for justice and vowing not to let the matter fade like many unresolved killings in the past.
