The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three suspects, including a former security guard, in connection with the murder of former Ogun State Television broadcaster, Mrs Olakitan Oyesiku, and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo.
The state Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, disclosed this during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, on Thursday.
Ojajuni said the arrests followed intensive intelligence gathering, technical tracking operations and forensic analysis carried out by detectives investigating the double murder.
The victims were found dead at Oyesiku’s residence in the Owode-Egba area of Ogun State on June 21, while her Lexus RX 330 vehicle was reported missing from the premises.
According to the police commissioner, a report was received at the Owode-Egba Police Station at about 4pm on June 21 concerning suspicious circumstances at the residence.
“Preliminary information indicated that the front door of the residence had been partially damaged while the security house within the compound was found locked, prompting immediate police intervention,” Ojajuni said.
He explained that detectives who responded to the scene discovered Adetayo’s lifeless body inside the security house, while Oyesiku was found lying in a pool of blood in the living room.
“The crime scene was scientifically processed. Preliminary investigation further revealed that a Lexus RX 330 vehicle belonging to the deceased was missing from the compound, raising suspicion of robbery and murder,” he added.
Ojajuni said the missing vehicle was recovered on June 22 through intelligence-led and technical tracking operations.
He further revealed that a handwritten note recovered from the crime scene provided a major breakthrough in the investigation.
“One critical piece of evidence recovered from the scene was a handwritten note apparently left behind by the perpetrators. The note was subjected to forensic examination and analysis, which generated valuable investigative leads that significantly aided detectives in identifying and tracing those responsible for the crime,” he stated.
The police boss disclosed that further intelligence gathering led to the arrest of the principal suspect, Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip, 22, on June 24 at a construction site in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, where he was working as a labourer.
Subsequent operations led to the arrest of Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola, 27, a security guard, and Sobu Obafunsho, 36, a bricklayer.
“During interrogation, Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip made a confessional statement, admitting his involvement in the murder of Madam Olakitan Oyesiku. He further disclosed that he had recruited Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola and Sobu Obafunsho to participate in the crime,” Ojajuni said.
According to the commissioner, the suspect told investigators that the murder was intended to “teach her a lesson” over grievances stemming from the period he worked as a security guard for the deceased.
The suspect reportedly told detectives that he planned the attack and recruited the two other suspects to carry it out.
“According to the statement, they first overpowered the security guard, Pelumi Adetayo, and used him to gain access to the residence. Upon gaining entry, they attacked Madam Olakitan Oyesiku and subsequently murdered the security guard,” Ojajuni stated.
The commissioner said the suspects fled with the deceased’s Lexus RX 330 after the attack, but the vehicle was later recovered at the Onikolobo area of Ogun State.
He added that detectives recovered several exhibits linked to the crime, including a broken hammer, a cutlass, a plank and a black pen.
Ojajuni assured residents that investigations were ongoing and that the command remained committed to ensuring justice for the victims and diligent prosecution of all those connected to the crime.
