The police command in Ondo says it has arrested a landlord and two others for the kidnapping and murder of two students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.

Police commissioner Adebowale Lawal disclosed this on Wednesday in Akure while speaking with journalists on the recent achievements of the command.

Mr Lawal said the two victims were Abah John Friday, 25, and his friend, Okah Andrel Eloho, 19 (female).

He also said the landlord, Oladele Femi, confessed to initiating the plot and aiding in the concealment of the murders.

The police chief explained that the arrest was made following a petition dated June 24, 2025, submitted by G.O. Omoedu & Co., Legal Practitioners, on behalf of Emmanuel Peter of Shagari Village, Akure, Ondo.

Mr Lawal said the petition was written over the abduction of Mr Peter’s younger brother, Mr Friday, and his friend, Eloho, who went missing on June 20, 2025.

“Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives from anti-kidnapping swung into action and launched an intensive investigation into the reported abduction. Forensic tracking led investigators to Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, where an iPhone 14 Pro Max belonging to one of the victims (Friday) was recovered from one Abdul Mohammed Mubarak, 38,” said Mr Lawal.

The police chief added, “Mubarak confessed to purchasing the phone from one Ojo Michael, whose arrest was subsequently effected in Aramoko-Ekiti, while a Lexus RX 350 vehicle belonging to the victims was also recovered at the point of arrest.

“During interrogation, Michael confessed to participating in the robbery, abduction, and eventual murder of the victims.”

The police stated that Mr Michael further disclosed that the operation was masterminded by “one Oladele Femi—the landlord of the male victim”.

Mr Femi allegedly engaged Mr Michael and another accomplice, identified as Kola (currently at large), to carry out the crime.

The police said investigations revealed that N800,000 was transferred from Mr Friday’s account while he was held captive.

The police commissioner, who explained that Mr Michael admitted raping the female victim upon recognising him, said the suspect executed Ms Eloho along with her friend (Mr Friday) to prevent them from exposing him.

He said Mr Michael and his accomplice (Kola) disposed of the victims’ bodies at separate locations between Agbado and Ode-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Mr Femi, who confessed to initiating the plot and aiding in the concealment of the murders. Acting on this confession, detectives recovered the body of Ms Eloho in a bush near Ode-Ekiti. Her remains had been deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

“Efforts are ongoing to recover the remains of the male victim, who is believed to have been dumped in a river by an accomplice still at large. This case stands as a tragic reminder of the brutality of premeditated crimes and the devastating consequences of betrayal and greed.

“The victims—young, promising undergraduates—were senselessly raped and murdered in cold blood,” said the police chief.

(NAN)