Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have foiled an alleged attempt to secretly bury a murdered man and arrested three suspects, including two minors, in connection with the crime in Akute area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed in a statement issued on Friday that detectives from the Ajuwon Division apprehended Maureen Okirie, 35, Salia Karikari, 15, and Jubril Karikari, 12, over the alleged killing of 38-year-old Stanley Okirie.
Babaseyi said the suspects were arrested on Thursday at about 11:15 a.m. following an anonymous tip-off about suspicious activities in the neighbourhood. Acting swiftly on the information, police operatives reportedly stormed the scene and caught one of the suspects attempting to bury a blood-soaked corpse in a shallow grave.
“Preliminary examination of the body revealed a severe injury to the victim’s head, while further investigation indicates that the deceased was allegedly attacked with a wooden pestle,” the statement noted, adding that other suspects, believed to be relatives of the deceased, were involved in the killing and subsequent cover-up.
The police spokesperson confirmed that the suspected murder weapon has been recovered, while the corpse has been deposited at the Life Channel Mortuary in Olambe for autopsy.
According to the statement, the suspects are currently in custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Bode Ojajuni, condemned the act, describing it as “cruel, inhumane and deeply disturbing,” particularly as it involved family members.
He assured residents that the Command would conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, stressing that all those found culpable would be made to face the full weight of the law.
Ojajuni also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
