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, 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, forensic analysis and technical tracking operations carried out by detectives investigating the double murder.
Oyesiku and Adetayo were found dead at the retired broadcaster’s residence in the Owode-Egba area of Ogun State on June 21, while her Lexus RX 330 vehicle was reported missing.
According to the police commissioner, officers received a distress report at about 4 p.m. on June 21 regarding 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.
Detectives who responded to the scene discovered Adetayo’s body inside the security post, while Oyesiku was found dead 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.
Ojajuni said the stolen vehicle was recovered the following day through intelligence-led operations and technical tracking.
He revealed that investigators also recovered a handwritten note from the crime scene, which proved crucial to the investigation.
“Although the ignition key had been removed and the registration number plates detached from the vehicle, detectives recovered the vehicle’s registration plate concealed underneath one of the seats, which enabled investigators to positively identify and confirm the vehicle as the property of Madam Olakitan Oyesiku.
“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.
Further investigations led to the arrest of the principal suspect, 22-year-old Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip, on June 24 at a construction site in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, where he was working as a labourer.
The police later arrested two other suspects identified as 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.
“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, Philip told investigators he orchestrated the attack over grievances stemming from his previous employment as Oyesiku’s security guard.
“The suspect stated that the murder of Madam Olakitan Oyesiku was intended to ‘teach her a lesson,’” Ojajuni added.
He explained that the suspects carried out the attack on June 20 after first overpowering Adetayo and using him to gain access to the residence.
“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.
“After committing the crime, the suspects fled the scene with the deceased’s Lexus RX 330 vehicle, which was later recovered through intelligence-led and technical tracking operations at the Onikolobo area of Ogun State,” the CP said.
The commissioner also disclosed that detectives recovered several exhibits linked to the crime, including a broken hammer, a cutlass, a plank and a black pen.
“Following the suspects’ confessional statements, detectives conducted further searches at locations linked to them. During the operation, a broken hammer, a cutlass, a plank, a black pen and other relevant exhibits connected to the investigation were recovered,” he said.
Ojajuni noted that while significant progress had been made, investigations were ongoing.
He assured residents that the command remained committed to securing justice for the victims and ensuring that all those connected to the killings are brought to justice.
