Ondo Police parade 12, nab teenager for caterer’s murder

The men of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested and paraded 12 suspected criminals from various parts of the 18 local government areas of the state for different criminal offences.

One of the cases involved the murder of Mrs Adeni Iyabode, a caterer, who was killed sometime in Akure.

The Police Command had previously made an arrest in connection with this crime, but they have now announced that the other suspect and co-conspirator has been apprehended and paraded before the press as investigations continue.

A 17-year-old, Kolawole Precious, confessed that he did not know what came over him at the time of the murder. “I didn’t do it intentionally. I don’t know what spirit pushed me.

“I wasn’t the one who conceived the idea. It was the boy who pressured and disturbed me, and I eventually gave in.

“I had an Android phone. Later, on September 18, I was arrested by the police. It was just the two of us.

“I work with a woman who is a caterer and the owner of Bola Country Kitchen.

“One of the boys who also works with her told me that he owed some money, and if he didn’t pay, his father would lose his job. His father is a police officer.

“He then asked me if I could kill someone, and I said no. I later changed my mind. On the third day after the incident, he gave me N30,000 and an Android phone. On September 18, I was arrested by the police.”

While briefing the press at the Police Headquarters on Igbatoro Road, Akure, the state capital, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Police Command, CP Abayomi Peter Oladipo, narrated the series of offences committed by the suspects, stating:

“The Ondo State Police Command, resolute in its commitment to tackling crime and maintaining public law and order, has in recent times made significant strides in apprehending suspects involved in serious and high-profile crimes.

“These offences include, but are not limited to, murder, armed robbery, arson, and other criminal acts.

“As we share this update, we emphasise the importance of community vigilance and cooperation in fostering a safer environment for all residents and indigenes of Ondo State.

“The command, in its relentless pursuit of justice regarding the murder of Mrs Adeni Iyabode, has arrested one Precious Kolawole, a 16-year-old secondary school student who was initially at large.

“It will be recalled that a painstaking investigation had earlier led to the arrest of his accomplice, one Philip Emmanuel, 17, who, in a voluntary statement, confessed to their involvement in this dastardly act.”

The first suspect, Precious Kolawole, claimed to have overheard Mrs Adeni talking about receiving a substantial sum of money through her bank account. Seizing on this information, he recruited Philip Emmanuel, the second suspect, to jointly murder the victim.

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Investigations revealed knife wounds inflicted by Philip Emmanuel and machete cuts by Precious Kolawole, which resulted in the victim’s death.

It was also gathered that the suspects successfully withdrew the sum of N30,000 from the victim’s account using her ATM card.

While the suspects remain in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation, it is important to reiterate the need for caution when discussing monetary matters around domestic staff and to ensure that personal banking details are kept private.

It is also advisable to install CCTV cameras to enhance personal safety and security.

Other suspects paraded included Monday Chukwu, a 34-year-old resident of Akintola village in the Odigbo area of the state, and Ujukene Uzoma, 32, from Arogbo in Ese Odo Local Government.

Others were Ifeanyi Chukuemeka, 36, Joseph Agu, 43, who specialises in stealing vehicle brainboxes, tapping glass, and other valuables from people’s cars, as well as Obinna Onyeamadu, 32, and Onyeka Okoye, 38.