…we killed her to teach her a lesson – suspects

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the gruesome murder of a former employee of Ogun State Television (OGTV), Ms Olakitan Oyesiku, and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo, following what police described as a painstaking investigation aided by forensic analysis, intelligence gathering and technical tracking.

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, disclosed the breakthrough on Thursday during a media briefing at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.

Ojajuni said the principal suspect, 22-year-old Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip, confessed to masterminding the attack and recruiting two accomplices, Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola, 27, and Sobu Obafunsho, 36, to carry out the crime.

The tragic incident came to light on June 21, 2026, when officers at Owode-Egba Police Station received a report of suspicious circumstances at the residence of the deceased.

“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 the lifeless body of the security guard inside the security house, while Madam Oyesiku was found dead in a pool of blood inside the main building.

The commissioner said investigators immediately processed the crime scene and discovered that the deceased’s Lexus RX 330 SUV had been stolen, raising suspicions of a robbery-murder operation.

He explained that the command subsequently launched an intensive investigation involving intelligence gathering and technical tracking aimed at identifying the perpetrators and recovering the stolen vehicle.

The stolen Lexus was recovered the following day through intelligence-led operations. Although its ignition key and registration number plates had been removed, detectives recovered the vehicle’s registration plate hidden beneath one of the seats, enabling investigators to confirm ownership.

Ojajuni revealed that a handwritten note allegedly left behind at the crime scene became a major breakthrough in the investigation.

“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.

The forensic findings and subsequent intelligence operations led to the arrest of the principal suspect on June 24 at a construction site in the Ibara GRA area of Abeokuta, where he was working as a labourer.

Further operations resulted in the arrest of the two other suspects, bringing into custody all persons currently identified as having direct involvement in the crime.

During interrogation, Philip allegedly admitted participating in the killings and confessed to recruiting the two co-suspects.

According to the Police Commissioner, the suspect told investigators that he planned the attack because of grievances he harboured against Madam Oyesiku from the period he worked as a security guard in her employment.

“The suspect stated that the murder of Madam Olakitan Oyesiku was intended to ‘teach her a lesson’,” Ojajuni disclosed.

Police investigations indicate that the suspects carried out the attack on the afternoon of June 20, 2026. They allegedly overpowered the security guard and used him to gain access to the residence before attacking Madam Oyesiku. The security guard was later killed during the operation.

After the killings, the suspects allegedly fled with the victim’s vehicle, which was subsequently recovered at the Onikolobo area of Abeokuta through technical tracking and intelligence-led operations.

Ojajuni said further searches conducted at locations linked to the suspects led to the recovery of several exhibits, including a broken hammer, a cutlass, a plank, a black pen and other items considered relevant to the investigation.

While confirming that the suspects had made useful statements, the commissioner emphasised that they remain entitled to due process under the law.

“The Ogun State Police Command wishes to emphasise that while the suspects have made useful statements and substantial evidence has been recovered in the course of the investigation, all suspects remain entitled to due process under the law,” he said.

He added that investigators were continuing to consolidate evidence to ensure diligent prosecution of everyone connected with the crime.

“The Command remains committed to ensuring that justice is served and that all persons connected with this heinous crime are brought to book,” Ojajuni assured.

The double murder has generated widespread concern across Ogun State, with residents calling for swift justice for the victims.

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