The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the killing of a former Ogun State Television, OGTV, broadcaster, Olakitan Oyesiku, and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo.
Oyesiku and Adetayo were found dead at the retired broadcaster’s residence in Owode-Egba, Ogun State, on June 21.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bode Ojajuni, announced the arrests on Thursday while addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
Ojajuni said the suspects were uncovered through intelligence-driven operations, technical tracking and forensic investigations carried out after the double murder.
According to him, officers attached to the Owode-Egba Police Station received a report at about 4 p.m. on June 21 over suspicious developments at the deceased’s 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 said detectives who arrived at the scene found Adetayo dead inside the security post, while Oyesiku’s body was discovered in the living room of the main building.
“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.
The police commissioner said the stolen vehicle was traced and recovered on June 22 through intelligence-led and technical tracking operations at the Onikolobo area of Ogun State.
He said although the ignition key had been removed and the registration number plates detached from the vehicle, detectives later recovered the vehicle’s registration plate concealed under one of the seats.
According to him, the discovery enabled investigators to positively identify and confirm the vehicle as belonging to Oyesiku.
Ojajuni also disclosed that investigators recovered a handwritten note at the crime scene, which later became a major lead 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 said.
The CP said further intelligence gathering led to the arrest of the prime suspect, 22-year-old Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip, on June 24 at a construction site in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, where he worked as a labourer.
He said follow-up operations by detectives led to the arrest of two other suspects, Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola, 27, a security guard, and Sobu Obafunsho, 36, a bricklayer.
“Further follow-up operations by detectives of the command led to the successful arrest of Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola and Sobu Obafunsho, thereby bringing into custody all identified suspects directly linked to the criminal conspiracy,” Ojajuni said.
The commissioner said Philip made a confessional statement admitting his involvement in the killing of Oyesiku.
He said the suspect also told investigators that he recruited Ayoola and Obafunsho to participate in the crime.
“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,” the CP said.
Ojajuni said Philip told investigators that he planned the attack because of grievances he had from the period he worked as a security guard for the deceased.