NIGERIA: Lagos Police Command Arrests Three Suspects In Connection With LASU Graduate’s Murder

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

Three suspects connected to the death of the 2024 graduate of Lagos State University, Adademola Ogunbode, have been apprehended by the the Lagos State Police Command.

The arrest was announced by the Police Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Friday after the state chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students Joint Campus Council revealed its plans to protest the handling of the investigation.

Recall that Ogunbode, a Political Science Education graduate of LASU, had been missing since January 16, 2025, and was later found dead, with his body mutilated.

In a bid to investigate the cause of the death, the police has arrested three suspects, reported to might have been connected to his death due to some suspicious financial transactions.

Among the arrested suspects were Whepetoji Sunday, a pastor who allegedly received N70,000 from the victim’s account; and Sheriff Adebayo, a church member accused of also receiving N300,000.

Omolara Ajisomo, who allegedly helped her children, Teniola and Olaoluwa Ajisomo, escape to Cotonou, Benin Republic, after each received N300,000 from the victim’s account was also apprehended by the police.

In the statement, Hundeyin explained that the case, which was initially treated as a missing person’s report, is now a suspected murder investigation.

He stated: “Significant progress has been made in the investigation, and all efforts are being directed towards determining the exact cause of death.”

He further disclosed that the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has assured the public of the command’s commitment to ensure justice is served timely and appropriately.

He added: “The command is fully committed to resolving the matter and bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

In response to students’ concerns, the police command’s spokesperson disclosed that the commissioner had also directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case to ensure a more thorough probe.

Hundeyin noted: ‘‘All aspects of the case will be thoroughly examined, and the concerns of the students will be looked into.”

He however urged the students and the entire populace to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed without interference.

Hundeyin assured: “There is no political interference in this investigation, and it will proceed unhindered and impartially, in line with the principles of justice and fairness.”