The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the unfortunate homicide incident involving two suspected ritualists where the headless body of an Okada man was discovered along Asunlere area of Oke Oyi, Ilorin, the state capital.
According to a press briefing on Wednesday by the Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Victor Olaiya, the command identified the victim of the unfortunate incident as Rafi Akao, Male, aged 34, while the suspects arrested including, Peter Samuel (M) Age: 38 yrs; Jeremiah Tiozinda (M)Age: 26 yrs; Sunday Agbenke (M)Age: 40 yrs; Yusuf Abdulkareem (M)Age: 22 yrs; and Jaiyeola Fatai(F)Age: 40 yrs.
Additionally, the exhibits found on the scene of the incident include an Itel Android phone and a Motorcycle belonging to one of the suspects and the victim of the unfortunate homicide.
The statement partly reads, “On November 4, 2024, at about 2109 hrs, a report was received from the residents of Asunlere community, Oke-Oyi, Ilorin, Kwara State. Three men, namely Abdulrasheed Ola Sheu, Ismail Muhammed, and others, arrived at Oke-oyi Police Division to report the discovery of a headless body lying near a stream within the area.
“Upon receiving this report, detectives were swiftly dispatched to the scene. Photographic evidence was captured, revealing a significant mark of violence around the neck, indicating that the head was severed. The body was subsequently evacuated and deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital morgue, pending an autopsy.
“At the crime scene, detectives recovered an Itel Android phone, which was suspected to belong to one of the assailants, as well as a Motorcycle believed to be the deceased’s property. Further search revealed that the deceased’s phone was also found on him.
“Detectives intensified efforts to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. These efforts yielded results in the early hours of November 6, 2024, based on reliable intelligence, two suspects were apprehended at separate locations. The suspects, were identified as Peter Samuel (M), Jeremiah Tiozinda (M), and Sunday Agbenke (M).
THE ELITES WATCH had earlier on Wednesday reported a disturbing development of some community youths mobbing the Oke-oyi divisional police station, demanding a jungle justice to be melted on two suspects arrested from the scene of the homicide incident along Asunlere area of Kwara state.
The statement by the police chief further confirmed that the two suspects confessed to committing the crime. Additionally, the recovered Android phone was confirmed to belong to suspect Peter Samuel, who was planning to flee from the state.
“During interrogation, the suspects revealed that they disposed of the victim’s severed head in a nearby river. Efforts are currently underway to recover this evidence. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a thorough investigation, Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”
The police affirmed that the suspects will subsequently be arraigned in court.
However, the command also clarified the misidentification of a farmer in a separate incident who was mistakenly targeted and pursued by villagers and motorcycle operators (Okada Riders) alleging his involvement in the homicide.
The statement emphasized that while the alleged individual sought refuge at the Oke-Oyi Police Division, his vehicle, which was lawfully parked, was stoned and severely damaged by community youths in the area.
“One Yusuf Abdulkareem (male, 22), Jaiyeola Fatai (female, 40), and others at large. Both individuals have been apprehended and formally charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Disturbance of Public Peace, Causing Grievous Hurt, and Mischief. They will be arraigned in court accordingly.”
While assuring the general public of ensuring justice to the unfortunate incident, the police strongly appealed to the general public to “refrain from engaging in hasty actions or disseminating unverified information, as these actions may endanger innocent lives and constitute serious infractions.”
The police, meanwhile, thanked the community for their vigilance and cooperation and urged citizens to rely on verified information from law enforcement channels.
