Ondo: Man arrested for allegedly killing, burying childhood friend in shallow pit
The police in Ondo State have arrested a 39-year-old motorcycle snatcher, Dolapo Babalola, who allegedly killed his childhood friend, Opeyemi Oyelakin, and stole his motorcycle.
SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, the command’s spokesperson, told journalists in Akure on Sunday that the incident happened in Ondo town.
She said the suspect was arrested following the complaint received on March 25 that a motorcycle, marked KAK 136 VF, was stolen, and the rider was nowhere to be found.
According to Ms Odunlami-Omisanya, consequent upon this report, detectives swung into action and arrested one Babalola on the same date.
She said that during interrogations, the suspect confessed that “the said Opeyemi Oyelakin, the ‘deceased’, was his childhood friend, and they had not seen for a very long time until March 14, 2024”.
The PPRO explained that the suspect and one Sikiru Mutiu, aka S.K., still at large, deceived Mr Oyelakin on March 15 into taking them on his motorcycle to their farm in the Oke-Igbo area.
“As soon as they dropped, Mutiu gripped Oyelakin from behind while the suspect used a stick and stone to hit him on his head, and the victim died.
“The corpse was dragged to a shallow pit, and they covered it with leaves before his motorcycle was stolen,” the PPRO quoted the suspect as saying.
Ms Odunlami-Omisanya, who said the suspect took the detectives to the crime scene, said the corpse, together with the stick and stone used in carrying out the crime, was recovered.
According to the police spokesperson, the suspect stated that he has a large syndicate and has been snatching motorcycles since 2021.
“Since 2021, the suspect has snatched an uncountable number of motorcycles, and he normally uses sticks and stones on his victims while his operational zones are Ondo town, Akure, Ekiti, Ilesha and Ife town.
“Meanwhile, the command is intensifying efforts to get everyone connected to the crime arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” she said.
The PPRO warned members of the public, particularly motorcycle riders, to be mindful of the type of people they carried and the terrains they entered with their motorcycles.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Tinubu advised me never to negotiate with criminals, Gov Ododo says
“I don’t play with criminals, and I don’t negotiate with them. I can tell you that, as far as Kogi State is concerned, we don’t have a department for ransom payment,” he said.
Heading 1
U.S. has spent $37.5 billion on Iran war: Hegseth
“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” Mr Hegseth said.
Lagos
Slain Lagos NURTW organising secretary buried amid tears
Mr Ajiboye died days after he was attacked by gunmen.
Africa
144 refugees, migrants dead, missing off Mauritania coast: UNHCR
“The refugees and migrants were reported dead or missing after attempting the perilous sea journey from West Africa towards Europe,” the agency said.
World
U.S. govt condemns Ortega’s ban on elections in Nicaragua
Mr Rubio urged the international community to rise against Mr Ortega’s dictatorship.
World
Zelensky sacks Ukraine’s top general after firing defence minister
Mr Syrskyi’s dismissal came days after Mr Zelensky fired Ukraine’s defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, a decision that sparked protests across the country.
