Leadnaija
The Lagos State Police Command exhumed the body of 28-year-old Adedamola Ogunbode, a graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), who had been missing since January 16. Ogunbode, who graduated in Political Science Education, was found buried in a shallow grave behind the university’s Ojo campus.
Police spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that four suspects were arrested in connection to the murder, and a manhunt is underway for additional suspects.
The suspects are accused of transferring funds from Ogunbode’s bank account and dividing the proceeds among themselves. One of the principal suspects, after his arrest, led the police to the burial site.
The investigation into Ogunbode’s disappearance was escalated after the appointment of the new Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, on February 18.
The case, initially filed as a missing person report, was reclassified as a suspected murder investigation, leading to the discovery of the victim’s remains.
Hundeyin assured the public that justice would be served and expressed confidence that all suspects would be prosecuted.
The investigation has drawn attention, with local officials, health workers, LASU students and lecturers, and Ojo residents present at the exhumation site. Hundeyin also revealed that the police had sealed off a church, the Celestial Church of Christ, Ileri Oluwa Parish, where one of the arrested suspects, Whepetoji Babaniyeh, is a pastor.
Intelligence suggested that individuals were planning to retaliate by setting the church on fire, prompting the authorities to take action to prevent further violence.
Family sources revealed that Ogunbode had been on the phone with his girlfriend when he was last seen near the church. The girlfriend reported that he had mentioned being called inside the church before losing contact.
The prime suspect, Olaoluwa Ajisomo, was arrested on Monday in the Alakuko area of Lagos after reports circulated that he had fled to Benin Republic.
The police previously arrested three other suspects, including a pastor and a church member, who allegedly received funds from Ogunbode’s account.
Investigators also took the suspect’s mother into custody for reportedly helping her children flee after they received money from the deceased’s bank account.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh, ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case after student unions threatened a protest.
Hundeyin clarified that the shallow grave where Ogunbode was found was not located on church premises but within the surrounding community.
The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities remain committed to bringing the remaining suspects to justice
