Sina Kawonise, Nigerian Compass Newspaper MD Attacked By Gunmen In Ondo State

Nov 7, 2012 – Sina Kawonise, Nigerian Compass Newspaper MD Attacked By Gunmen In Ondo State

Mr Sina Kawonise, the MD and Editor-in-chief of the Nigerian Compass, Mr. Sina Kawonise narrowly escaped death on Monday night, as suspected gunmen shot him in the leg during an attack on the Akure-Ilesha Highway.

A police security detail who was with managing director in his car was also injured. Kawonise was returning by road from Awka, Anambra where he had gone to present a keynote address at the 17th annual conference of the Nigerian Anthropological and Sociological Association and where he was presented with a Distinguished Sociologist award by the association.

A statement issued by Western Publishing Company Limited and signed by a director, Biodun Oduwole said Kawonise was in a convoy of two vehicles when the vehicle in which he was travelling was suddenly ambushed at the Ikeji-Arakeji junction shortly after Akure at about 8.30p.m.

“Sporadic gunfire from men hidden by the roadside was unleashed on the two vehicles and Mr Kawonise and the policeman seated with the driver in front of the vehicle were hit by bullets. They were immediately rushed to a private hospital from where the policeman was transferred to the Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesha for surgery. “Mr Kawonise was transferred to the University College Hospital Ibadan this morning where he has been admitted.

He is in stable condition and has undergone surgery for his injuries. “We do not know the motive of the attackers of Mr. Kawonise but he recently received threats to his person from some unknown Internet messengers.

“The Board of Directors of Western Publishing Company is grateful to God that no lives were lost in the attack and would want to assure all Nigerians that the Nigerian Compass under the management leadership of Mr Kawonise will not fight shy of its social responsibility and it’s crusading pact with the Nigerian people.” (Credit: Daily Sun)