Matthew Onocheta
OGUN, Nigeria – The Nigeria Police Force, Ogun State Command has announced the discovery of the shallow graves of 71-year-old farmer, Adekunle Ifelaja, and Ogunyemi Femi, who were allegedly killed by suspected kidnappers in the Ijebu-Igbo area of the state.
The discovery follows the arrest of two members of a seven-person criminal gang, Chukwuma Bartholomew and Igwe Monday, who are believed to be responsible for the abductions and murders of the victims.
The spokeswoman for the command, Omolola Odutola, on Saturday, told local newspaper, PUNCH that the arrest occurred just five days after the anti-kidnapping squad killed two suspected kidnappers in a gun duel and rescued several victims, including Indian nationals.
Regarding the exhumation of the deceased’s bodies, Ms Odutola stated that the suspects, after confessing to the crime during interrogation, led the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, and the anti-kidnapping squad to the forest in Ijebu-Igbo.
She said, “They are responsible for kidnappings and abductions that have been recorded in the Ijebu-Igbo area. They kidnapped their victims, demanded ransom from their family members, and then killed them.
“They then took them to a forest in Ijebu-Igbo, where they dug a shallow grave and buried them. They were arrested by our anti-kidnapping squad after a thorough investigation, which led the team to the hideouts of the criminals on June 28, 2024, in Ijebu-Igbo.
“After their confession, the suspects took the CP and members of the anti-kidnapping units to the forest where they buried the victims to exhume the corpses.”
The publication recalled a November 23, 2023 report about how the suspects, part of a criminal syndicate, stormed the home of 34-year-old Femi on November 23, 2023, abducted him and took him to an unknown location.
The gang allegedly made a video of Femi and sent it to his family to demand ransom.
Police said the suspects killed the victim despite receiving the ransom from his family.
Similarly, after abducting the elderly 71-year-old farmer at Oke-Sopen in Ijebu-Igbo on December 31, 2023, the suspects reportedly recorded a video of the septuagenarian man and sent it to his family via WhatsApp, demanding a ransom for his release.
According to the police, the farmer was killed and buried in one of the shallow graves despite the payment.
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