The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three suspects, including a former security guard, in connection with the murder of a retired Ogun State Television (OGTV) broadcaster, Olakitan Oyesiku, and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo, last Sunday.
The State’s Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, disclosed this during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, on Thursday.
CP Ojajuni said the arrests followed extensive intelligence gathering, technical tracking operations, and forensic analysis 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 from the premises.
According to the police commissioner, officers at the Owode-Egba Police Station received a report at about 4 p.m. on June 21 regarding suspicious activities 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 arrived at the scene discovered Adetayo’s lifeless body inside the security post, while Oyesiku was found in a pool of blood 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 missing vehicle was recovered on June 22 through intelligence-led and technical tracking operations.
CP Ojajuni revealed that a handwritten note recovered at the scene 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 said.
Further intelligence gathering led to the arrest of the principal suspect, Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip, 22, on June 24 at a construction site in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, where he was working as a laborer.
Subsequent operations led to the arrest of Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola, 27, a security guard, and Sobu Obafunsho, 36, a bricklayer.
According to the police commissioner, Philip confessed to the crime and admitted recruiting the two other suspects.
“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 stated.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he planned the attack over grievances arising from the period he worked as a security guard for the deceased.
“The suspect stated that the murder of Madam Olakitan Oyesiku was intended to ‘teach her a lesson’,” the police commissioner added.
According to police findings, the suspects carried out the attack on June 20 by first overpowering Adetayo and using 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,” Ojajuni said.
Police also recovered several exhibits linked to the crime, including a broken hammer, a cutlass, a plank and a black pen.
The commissioner stressed that investigations were ongoing and assured residents that the command remained committed to ensuring justice for the victims and prosecuting all those connected with the killings.
