…Forensic analysis of handwritten note cracks double murder case
…Stolen Lexus tracked, recovered within 24 hours
…Three suspects arrested, weapons recovered
Daud Olatunji
The Ogun State Police Command has uncovered what it described as a carefully planned revenge killing behind the gruesome murder of an Abeokuta broadcaster, Ms Olakitan Oyesiku, and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo, with the alleged mastermind confessing that the attack was carried out to “teach her a lesson.”
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the breakthrough came after forensic experts analysed a handwritten note allegedly left behind at the crime scene, a development police said provided crucial leads that led to the arrest of three suspects linked to the double murder.
Oyesiku, a former staff member of Ogun State Television (OGTV), and her security guard were reportedly murdered at her residence in Abeokuta on Saturday.
It was gathered that an odour emanating from the building attracted the attention of residents, who alerted the police on Sunday.
Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, disclosed the details on Thursday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
According to him, the principal suspect, Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip, 22, a former security guard employed by the deceased, allegedly recruited two others — Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola, 27, and Sobu Obafunsho, 36 — to execute the attack.
Ojajuni said investigations revealed that the suspects stormed Oyesiku’s residence on June 20, overpowered Adetayo and forced him to grant them access to the house before attacking the homeowner.
“The suspect admitted during interrogation that he coordinated the operation following grievances he had with the deceased while in her employment. He stated that the murder was intended to ‘teach her a lesson’,” the police commissioner said.
The shocking confession came days after detectives discovered the bodies of Oyesiku and her security guard inside the residence following a distress report received at the Owode-Egba Police Station on June 21.
Police said officers who arrived at the scene found the security post locked, while the front entrance of the residence had been tampered with.
After forcing their way into the premises, detectives discovered Adetayo’s lifeless body inside the security house and Oyesiku’s corpse in a pool of blood within the main building.
Ojajuni said the crime scene was immediately subjected to scientific examination, while investigators launched an extensive intelligence-led operation after discovering that the deceased’s Lexus RX 330 SUV had been stolen.
In what police described as a major breakthrough, operatives tracked and recovered the stolen vehicle less than 24 hours later in the Onikolobo area of Abeokuta.
Although the suspects had removed the number plates and ignition key in an apparent attempt to conceal the vehicle’s identity, detectives found the registration plate hidden beneath one of the seats, confirming it belonged to the deceased.
The CP said another crucial breakthrough came from a handwritten note recovered at the scene.
According to him, forensic examination of the document generated investigative clues that significantly narrowed the search for the perpetrators and ultimately led detectives to the principal suspect.
Philip was arrested on June 24 at a construction site in Ibara Government Reservation Area, Abeokuta, where he had reportedly taken up work as a labourer while evading arrest.
Subsequent operations led to the arrest of Ayoola and Obafunsho, effectively dismantling the alleged criminal conspiracy.
Police also recovered several items believed to have been used during the attack, including a broken hammer, a cutlass, a wooden plank and a black pen, following searches conducted at locations linked to the suspects.
Ojajuni described the case as a demonstration of the growing role of forensic science and technology in criminal investigations, noting that intelligence gathering, technical tracking and scientific evidence were instrumental in solving the crime.
He assured residents that all suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law after the conclusion of investigations.
“The Ogun State Police Command remains resolute in ensuring justice for the victims and bringing everyone connected with this heinous crime to account,” he said.
The police commissioner, however, stressed that despite the confessional statements and evidence already obtained, the suspects remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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