By Adesakin Adefemi
The Oyo State Police Command has announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with the suspected murder of a 62-year-old woman at Ori-Apata Oderemi area of Ido, Ibadan, and the apprehension of two robbery suspects during a separate intelligence-led operation.
In a statement on Saturday signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Command said the murder incident was reported by a good Samaritan who discovered “the lifeless body of a 62-year-old woman in a bush path within the community.”
The statement added that the deceased “was found lying in a pool of blood with a deep cut on her neck,” while preliminary findings revealed that “the corpse had been at the location for at least seven (7) days prior to its discovery.”
According to the Command, detectives promptly visited the scene, which was immediately sealed off as forensic experts were deployed “to process and gather necessary evidence that will aid in identifying, arresting, and prosecuting the perpetrator(s).”
The body was evacuated to the morgue at Adeoyo General Hospital for autopsy and post-mortem examination “to scientifically determine the actual cause of death.” The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department “in line with standard investigative procedure and to ensure a comprehensive and discreet inquiry.”
Preliminary investigation led to the arrest of Muhammed Sanusi, 42, and Ogbu James Ajah, 40, both residents of Ori-Apata area, Ido. The suspects are currently in custody at the State CID and “are assisting the Police with ongoing investigations, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend any other accomplices linked to the crime.”
The Command noted that the development “initially triggered protests by aggrieved family members and sympathisers within the community,” but the situation was “swiftly brought under control through the timely intervention of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ido Division, in collaboration with the Local Government Chairman,” who appealed to residents “urging them not to take the law into their hands.”
It further stated that joint patrols involving other security agencies and relevant non-state actors had commenced, with “Police operational assets and tactical teams strategically deployed to the area to maintain public order, strengthen visibility policing, and reassure residents of their safety.”
In a separate development, the Command disclosed that it acted on “credible intelligence received from vigilant citizens regarding the activities of hoodlums who allegedly rob unsuspecting members of the public along Elebu-Oja, off Alao-Akala Expressway, Ibadan.” Operatives of the Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud Unit conducted a targeted surveillance patrol, leading to the arrest of Elijah Teejay, 21, and Ottu Emmanuel, 33. A search on them led to the recovery of “two (2) toy pistols and some illicit drugs, which were immediately secured as exhibits for investigation.”
The statement said, “Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to multiple acts of robbery along the aforementioned axis and other locations within and outside Oyo State,” adding that their arrest represents “a critical step towards disrupting this criminal network and restoring public confidence in the safety of the area.” The suspects remain in custody, while the Commissioner of Police has directed that “upon the conclusion of the investigation, they be charged to court in accordance with the law.”
