The Osun State Police Command have arrested and paraded 6 suspects over their alleged involvement in murder, kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, and other criminal activities.
The state police public relations officer, SP Yemisi Opalola, on Friday in Osogbo, revealed this breakthrough recorded by security agents, saying that the Command has also arrested a ritualist with human skull and other incriminating items.
SP Opalola, during the parade of suspected criminals at the Osun State Police Headquarters, disclosed that detectives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Police Command arrested a notorious cultist and alleged political thug, Olabode Owoeye(32), also known as Bode Itaapa, for kidnapping, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms and alleged murder.
Yemisi Opalola disclosed that the kingpin and his gang were involved in the abduction and killing of two individuals, Kelechi Agha and Tega Robinson, who were reported missing by their loved ones on February 8, 2024.
Other suspects arrested alongside Olabode Owoeye included one Mukaila Lateef(45)and David Samuel(26).
Owoeye, had been on the wanted-list of the police for political killings and cult clashes in Ijesaland.
Narrating how Itaapa was apprehended, the police spokesperson, revealed that the arrest of the kingpin in Ilesa came about as a result of credible intelligence report at the disposal of the command.
Opalola also disclosed that Owoeye confessed during interrogation to being a political thug, whose group was hired by Hon. Sanya Omirin, the House of Representatives member for Ijesa South Federal Constituency.
She further revealed that their investigation led to the recovery of several exhibits, including a locally made barreta pistol, a single barrel gun, a pump action gun, and a black unregistered Highlander Jeep.
The PPRO said: “On 9th February, 2024, at about 6:20 pm, complainants reported at Iperindo Police Station that, on 8th February, 2024, their children Kelechi Agha and Tega Robinson left homes to their mining sites, and they did not return before the case was transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad for discreet investigation.
“Credible intelligence revealed that members of the Aye Confraternity were sighted freely moving around with dangerous weapons on that day, which led the detectives to search the hideouts of the cultists, where one Beretta pistol and a black mask were found and registered as exhibits.
“Subsequently, the detectives on the rescue mission later apprehended one Bode Owoeye, aka “Bode Itaapa,” who was identified as a member of Aye Confraternity and who was on the wanted- list of Osun State.
“During the interrogation, he confessed that other members of Aye confraternity were responsible for the abduction and killing of the victims inside the bush.
“He also admitted that his group was the political thugs working for one Hon. Sanya Omirin, who usually gives them instructions through another wanted cultist, Adefioye Solomon, aka Solo Iwara, who is responsible for so many killings within the Ilesha axis.
“Also, he confessed that they attacked one Honourable Ayodeji Olaolu, the APC candidate, during the election into the House of Representatives in 2023, at the party secretariat and shot him in his head and chest.
“He further revealed that the confraternity had over 30 pump action rifles, which were mostly procured before the 2023 election.
“Subsequently, the detectives arrested one Samuel David, who was mentioned to be a member of Aye Confraternity and involved in the killing of one Ibrahin Taiwo, aka Omo-Alhaja.
“During the investigations, the suspect mentioned his five fellow hitmen under Kehinde Itaapa, who stormed the venue of the PDP rally on 21/02/2023 and killed the deceased. In the course of the investigation, one of the complainants came to report that, she was the mother of late Taiwo Adebiyi, aka “Omo-Alhaja,” and alleged one Shittu Lekan, aka “Araba” to be the killer of her son.
“Samuel David later took the detectives to Oke-Eta village where he kept one pump action gun, given to him by Bode Owoeye to perpetrate the crime, and it was recovered as an exhibit. Olabode Owoeye stated further that he bought the gun from Mukaila Lateef who is his arm dealer who illegally sold some guns to him.”
The police are still searching for fleeing members of the group and have recovered several weapons, including pump action rifles.
Other suspects paraded include Ope Adegboye(37), a ritualist who was arrested for being in possession of a human skull, and Opeyemi Aderibigbe (24), apprehended for armed robbery and murder attempt.
The suspects will be charged to court upon completion of police investigation.
