Crime
How Couple, Herbalist, Others, Killed Lady, Sold Body Parts In Ogun – Police
A couple, Taiwo Olutufese Ajalorun and Salawa Oyenusi Ajalorun, were arrested alongside six others for the alleged killing of a 26-year-old woman, Oyindamola Adeyemi.
They were arrested on Wednesday for kidnapping, killing and dismembering a victim’s remains.
The Ogun State police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, identified the other suspects as Lukman Oladele, Kayode Ibrahim, Alebiosu Adebayo, Bello Akeem, Fatai Rasheed and Fatai Jimoh.
Oyeyemi said their arrest followed a report lodged at the Obalende divisional headquarters, Ijebu-Ode by one Omolara Ojo.
According to DailyPost report, Ojo had on December 28 reported that her neighbour, Oyindamola Adeyemi, left home since morning, but never returned home, while her phone was switched off.
“The following day, while the patrol team from Obalende division were on routine patrol, a dismembered body of a lady was discovered by the roadside and the body was taken to a mortuary.
“Fortunately, the mortuary is a stone’s throw distance away from the house of the deceased and one of the mortuary workers, who knew about the missing person, called the attention of the deceased family to come and have a look at the body brought in by the police,” Oyeyemi explained.
According to him, the deceased’s friend, Ojo, was able to identify the body through the victim’s bra and underwear, since her head was already chopped off.
Having recognized the body, the DPO of Obalende division, SP Murphy Salami mobilized his crack detectives to embark on a technical and intelligence-based investigation, which he said led them to Taiwo Ajalorun, a herbalist, from whom the deceased’s Itel phone was recovered. DailyPost reports.
A search warrant was executed in the herbalist’s house, where a container full of human blood, later discovered to be that of the deceased, was recovered, it was learnt.
The arrest of the man had led to the arrest of his friend, Oladele, in whose house the legs of the deceased were recovered.
“They both made confessional statements which led to the arrest of other suspects who are buyers of different parts of the deceased body,” Oyeyemi said.
While being interrogated, Taiwo Olutufese Ajalorun and Lukman Oladele were said to have confessed that the deceased was lured to Taiwo’s house, who happened to be her manfriend, but as soon as the victim entered, she was pinned down by both Olutufese and Oladele and strangled to death.
“After killing her, they cut off her head, legs and two hands which they sold to their standby buyers to be used for money-making rituals.
According to them, the legs were sold at the rate of N30,000, while the heart was sold at the rate of N50,000 to Akeem Bello, but the person who bought the head is still at large,” Oyeyemi disclosed.
The suspects, Oyeyemi said, confessed further that the victim was the third they had killed in such a manner.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Lanre Bankole, has ordered the transfer of the suspects to the homicide section of the state CIID for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution.
Crime
Policeman Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack Checkpoint In Abia
A police officer is reportedly dead and another injured following an attack by unknown gunmen on a police checkpoint in the Ohafia area of Abia State.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at Ugwu Abba Asaga, has sparked concerns over the rising wave of insecurity in the region.
The Abia State Police Command has yet to release an official statement regarding the attack. However, when contacted, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, assured reporters that she would provide updates, but no further details had been shared as of the time of this report.
READ MORE: FG Allocates N112bn To Enhance Child Safety, Education In Three Years
This incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks in Abia State. On Monday, the Abia State government accused unnamed politicians and external parties of fueling kidnappings and violence targeting security personnel and civilians since May 2024. In a statement signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the government vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The promoters of violence and insecurity in the state will pay a heavy price,” the statement read.
However, John Okiyi Kalu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, criticized the government’s position. He argued that insecurity in the state should not be politicized but rather addressed through actionable measures.
The attack has heightened tensions in the state, with citizens calling for swift action to restore peace and ensure the safety of residents and security personnel alike.
Crime
Ebonyi Police Crackdown Leaves Labourer Dead, Three Others Injured
A yet-to-be-identified labourer was reportedly shot dead on Wednesday, while three others sustained critical injuries, during an altercation involving the Crack Squad of the Ebonyi State Police Command at Ugwuechara Junction in Abakaliki.
Witnesses say the incident began when members of the Crack Squad stopped a motorcycle rider, accusing him of fraud and attempting to seize his motorcycle.
The rider reportedly identified himself as a member of the military but was allegedly assaulted by the operatives.
READ MORE: NCS Bars PoS Services, Others Within Apapa Command Premises
An eyewitness recounted, “As the policemen removed his cap and started hitting him with their guns, the bike man tried to resist them, possibly to snatch one of their guns.
“One of the team opened fire, which killed one of the labour seekers, who usually gather at the junction to look for daily jobs. Three persons were wounded and were rushed to the hospital.”
The deceased, a labourer waiting for work at the junction, was struck by the gunfire. Among the injured are a young apprentice at a barbershop and a female passer-by.
Witnesses say the police operatives took the body of the deceased and the motorcycle rider to their station after the incident.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, Joshua Ukandu, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.
However, Obinna Mbam, the Special Assistant on Internal Security to Governor Francis Nwifuru, confirmed the incident.
“Normalcy has returned to the area,” Mr. Mbam said. “The state government will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The incident has sparked outrage among residents of Ebonyi State, who have raised concerns about the increasing cases of police brutality, extortion, and indiscriminate arrests.
Many residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the Crack Squad, which was established as part of police reforms following the disbandment of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2020.
Crime
IGP Files Fraud Charges Against Ex-Senator, Two Others Over N400m Scam
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed criminal charges against former Nigerian senator Andy Uba and two others, accusing them of defrauding a complainant, George Uboh, of N400 million.
The charges, which include two counts, were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Uba, who represented Anambra South in the Senate from 2011 to 2019, along with Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu, is alleged to have conspired with Hajiya Fatima, who remains at large, to defraud Uboh in 2022.
READ ALSO: Osun Shooting: Adeleke Sues For Peace As IGP Orders Immediate Arrest Of Moses Lohor
According to the charges, the accused individuals falsely claimed they could secure the appointment of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for anyone who could pay N400 million.
“The accused persons collected the N400 million from Mr. Uboh and converted it into their personal use,” the police said, describing the actions as a violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act of 2006.
The police also revealed that six witnesses would testify against the accused parties.
The case was officially filed on 10 October 2023 by Abdulrashid Sidi from the Police Legal/Prosecution Section.
During a hearing on 13 November, the prosecution informed the court that the defendants had been evading the service of court documents despite being granted administrative bail.
“The defendants obtained a fundamental rights enforcement order, which had prevented the police from bringing them to court,” said M.L. Anthony, a lawyer for the prosecution.
“It was only after the order was lifted that the defendants were finally charged before the judge.”
The trial, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was adjourned until 18 February 2025.
This delay allows time for the defendants to appear in court and take their plea, following the prosecution’s efforts to ensure they are properly served with legal documents.