…Prime Suspect Apprehended After Alleged Escape to Benin Republic
…Police Seal Off Church, Cite Threats of Retaliation
Tension has escalated in Lagos following the latest developments in the gruesome murder of Adedamola Ogunbode, a Lagos State University graduate, as the Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the location of his burial site. This confirmation comes after the arrest of the principal suspect, Olaoluwa Ajisomo, who had been on the run amid speculations that he had fled to the Benin Republic.
It was gathered that Ajisomo was leading detectives to the site where Ogunbode was buried, signaling a major breakthrough in the case that has shocked the state and sent waves of outrage through the academic community and civil society.
Police Crackdown: Key Suspects in Custody
The Lagos State Police Command had earlier announced the arrest of three suspects in connection with the case, while five others remained at large. Among those apprehended was Whepetoji Sunday, a pastor who allegedly received N70,000 from the victim’s account, and Sheriff Adebayo, a church member accused of collecting N300,000.
Adding another twist to the chilling case, the police arrested the prime suspect’s mother, Omolara Ajisomo, who reportedly aided her fugitive sons, Olaoluwa and Teniola Ajisomo, in evading law enforcement after they each withdrew N300,000 from Ogunbode’s account.
The arrest of the principal suspect, which took place on Monday morning in the Alakuko area of Lagos, has shed new light on the case. Confirming the development, Lagos State Police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that Ajisomo was directly responsible for emptying Ogunbode’s bank account using the deceased’s mobile phone.
“The principal suspect, Olaoluwa Ajisomo, was arrested yesterday (Monday) morning in the Alakuko area. He was the one who cleared the victim’s bank account through the victim’s mobile phone,” Hundeyin disclosed.
Shocking Confession Leads Police to Burial Site
Hundeyin further confirmed that Ajisomo had confessed to the murder and was cooperating with the police to locate the shallow grave where Ogunbode was buried.
“The shallow grave is not within the church premises, as some social media speculations suggested, but it is located in the same community,” he clarified.
Meanwhile, sources involved in the investigation informed PUNCH Metro that police detectives were en route to exhume the victim’s remains.
“I just received information that the newly arrested suspect has confessed to killing the LASU graduate, and the police are on their way to the burial site,” the source disclosed.
When our correspondent reached out to Hundeyin for further confirmation, he responded with a single word: “Confirmed.”
Police Seal Off Church, Prevent Retaliatory Arson
Amid rising tension, the Lagos State Police Command has taken preemptive action by sealing off the church where one of the arrested clerics worshipped. This move comes after intelligence reports suggested that an angry mob was planning to set the building ablaze in retaliation for the murder.
“The church was sealed following intelligence reports that some people planned to burn it out of vengeance, and we do not want that to happen,” Hundeyin stated.
Growing Public Outrage and Demand for Justice
The gruesome killing of Ogunbode has sparked widespread condemnation from students, human rights groups, and Lagos residents, with many demanding swift and severe justice for the perpetrators. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to take full control of the case.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State University Students’ Union, angered by the brutal murder of their colleague, had earlier threatened a statewide protest to demand accountability. With the latest arrests, attention is now focused on the legal proceedings that will follow, as Nigerians call for the full weight of the law to be brought down on the killers.
As the investigation intensifies and more details emerge, the Lagos State Police Command has assured the public that justice will be served.
