The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended a landlord and two accomplices in connection with the abduction and murder of two students from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, News360 Nigeria reports.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adebowale Lawal, disclosed the development on Wednesday while addressing journalists in Akure, the state capital.
He said the suspects were arrested following an intensive investigation by the command.
According to the police, the victims were identified as 25-year-old Abah John Friday and his 19-year-old female friend, Okah Andrel Eloho.
The duo were reportedly kidnapped before being gruesomely murdered, sparking public outrage and a swift response from security operatives.
Lawal assured the public that the suspects would be charged to court upon the completion of investigations, and reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
He also said that the landlord, Oladele Femi, confessed to initiating the plot and aiding in the concealment of the murders.
The CP explained that the arrest was made following a petition dated June 24, 2025, submitted by G.O. Omoedu & Co., Legal Practitioners, on behalf of one Mr. Emmanuel Peter of Shagari Village, Akure, Ondo State.
Lawal said that the petition was written over the abduction of Peter’s younger brother, Friday, and his friend, Eloho, who went missing on June 20, 2025.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives from anti-kidnapping swung into action and launched an intensive investigation into the reported abduction.
“Forensic tracking led investigators to Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, where an iPhone 14 Pro Max belonging to one of the victims (Friday) was recovered from one Abdul Mohammed Mubarak, 38.
“Mubarak confessed to purchasing the phone from one Ojo Michael, whose arrest was subsequently effected in Aramoko-Ekiti, while a Lexus RX 350 vehicle belonging to the victims was also recovered at the point of arrest.
“During interrogation, Michael confessed to participating in the robbery, abduction, and eventual murder of the victims.
“Michael further disclosed that the operation was masterminded by one Oladele Femi ‘m’—the landlord of the male victim.
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“Femi allegedly engaged Micheal and another accomplice (identified as “Kola,” currently at large) to carry out the crime.
“Investigations revealed that the sum of N800,000 was transferred from the victim’s (Friday’s) account during their captivity,” he said.
Lawal, who explained that Michael admitted raping the female victim upon recognising him and unmasking his identity, said the suspect executed the girl along with her friend (Friday) to prevent them from exposing him.
The CP said Michael and his accomplice (Kola) disposed of the victims bodies at separate locations between Agbado and Ode-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of Oladele Femi, who, during confrontation, confessed to initiating the plot and aiding in the concealment of the murders.
“Acting on this confession, detectives recovered the body of the female victim in a bush near Ode-Ekiti, and it has since been deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.
“Efforts are ongoing to recover the remains of the male victim, who is believed to have been dumped in a river by an accomplice still at large.
“This case stands as a tragic reminder of the brutality of premeditated crimes and the devastating consequences of betrayal and greed.
“The victims—young, promising undergraduates—were senselessly raped and murdered in cold blood,” he said.
Lawal, therefore, assured the public that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspect at large, recover the remains of Abah John Friday, and bring all responsible parties to justice. (NAN)