A chilling murder plot allegedly driven by personal grievances has been uncovered by the Ogun State Police Command, following the arrest of three suspects linked to the murder of a former Ogun State Television (OGTV) staff member, Olakitan Oyesiku, and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo.
The suspects, who spoke through the masterminder, 22-year-old Olajuwon Sodeinde, alleged that the act was perpetrated to teach the broadcaster a lesson over grievances stemming from his previous employment as a security guard in the deceased’s residence.
Sodeinde, who claim to have recruited the two others, a 27-year-old security guard, Sakirudeen Ayoola, and a 36-year-old bricklayer, Sobu Obafunsho, revealed this on Thursday during a press briefing by the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, at the Ogun Police Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, the state capital.
According to the police commissioner, the gruesome double murder was discovered after officers responded to a distress report on June 21 regarding suspicious activities at Oyesiku’s residence.
He noted that the detectives who forced their way into the compound found a horrifying scene, discovering Adetayo’s body inside the security post, while Oyesiku’s lifeless body lay in a pool of her own blood inside the main building.
“The detectives further discovered that the deceased’s Lexus RX 330 Sports Utility Vehicle had been stolen, prompting a full-scale manhunt for the perpetrators.
“The Command immediately launched intensive investigations, intelligence gathering and technical tracking operations to identify those responsible and recover the stolen vehicle,” Ojajuni said.
“A major breakthrough came when detectives tracked and recovered the missing vehicle in the Onikolobo area of Ogun State”.
He noted that although the suspects had removed the registration plates and ignition key in an apparent attempt to conceal the vehicle’s identity, police recovered the original plate hidden beneath a seat, enabling investigators to positively identify it as belonging to the slain former television employee.
The police boss said that another critical clue emerged from a handwritten note allegedly left behind at the crime scene.
“Forensic examination of the note provided investigators with valuable leads that eventually led to the identification and arrest of the suspects.
“Acting on intelligence generated from the investigation, detectives arrested Philip at a construction site in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, where he was working as a labourer, while Ayoola, and Sobu were picked up in different locations in the state.
According to him, during interrogation, Philip allegedly confessed to planning and coordinating the attack.
Police said the suspect admitted recruiting the other two men and disclosed that the crime was motivated by resentment he harboured against Oyesiku following his previous employment in her household.
According to him, the suspects struck on the afternoon of June 20, first overpowering security guard Adetayo and using him to gain access to the residence.
“Once inside, they allegedly attacked and murdered Madam Oyesiku before turning on Adetayo to eliminate a key witness.
“After carrying out the killings, the suspects fled with the victim’s vehicle and other items before going into hiding.
“Further searches conducted at locations linked to the suspects led to the recovery of several exhibits, including a broken hammer, a cutlass, a wooden plank, a black pen and other materials believed to be connected to the crime”.
Ojajuni, meanwhile, described the killings as a heinous act and assured the public that all those involved would face justice.
“The Ogun State Police Command remains committed to ensuring that justice is served and that all persons connected with this heinous crime are brought to book,” he said.
While the suspects have reportedly made confessional statements, the police commissioner emphasised that investigations remain ongoing and that the suspects retain their constitutional right to due process.