The Lagos State Police Command has intensified efforts to track down five suspects who allegedly fled after being linked to the suspected murder of a Lagos State University (LASU) graduate.
This comes after a preliminary investigation reclassified the case from a missing person to suspected murder.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, has ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to take over the case, ensuring a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding the graduate’s disappearance and presumed death.
According to a statement on Friday by the Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, police findings revealed that money was suspiciously moved from the victim’s account to multiple individuals, prompting investigators to follow the financial trail.
While three suspects are in custody, five others, including two siblings who allegedly received N300,000 each, have escaped to Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The police named Teniola Ajisomo and Olaoluwa Ajisomo as two of the suspects on the run, with their mother, Omolara Ajisomo, already arrested for aiding their escape.
The three other suspects are Whepetoji Sunday, a pastor who allegedly N70,000 received from the victim’s account; Sherrif Adebayo, a church member who received N300,000; and Omolara Ajisomo, arrested for facilitating her children’s escape.
The reports of the suspected murder has sparked outrage among LASU students, who had initially planned a protest over their missing colleague.
In response, Jimoh has urged students, family members, and the public to remain calm, assuring that the police will leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
He emphasized that there is no political interference in the case and that the investigation will be handled with fairness and transparency.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has assured the public that the Command is fully committed to resolving the matter and bringing the perpetrators to justice. He emphasized that significant progress has been made in the investigation, and all efforts are being directed towards locating the body of the deceased and determining the exact cause of death,” the statement read.
“In response to the demands raised by the student body as highlighted in the report, CP Jimoh has instructed that all aspects of the case be thoroughly examined and the concerns of the students and their grievances be looked into. The Command also wishes to clarify that there is no political interference in the investigation, assuring the public that the investigation will proceed unhindered and impartially, in line with the principles of justice and fairness.
“The Commissioner of Police has also appealed to the family, friends, and student bodies to remain calm while the police investigation is carried out diligently. He further calls for restraint from actions that could potentially hinder or interfere with the ongoing investigative efforts.
“To ensure a comprehensive and thorough investigation, CP Jimoh has directed that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to take over the case. The SCID will provide further expertise and additional impetus to the investigation, to expedite the process,” the statement added.
