The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a pastor and his accomplices for their involvement in the gruesome killing of Ogunbode Kodri Adedamola Olasunkami, who went missing on January 16.

According to reports, Ogunbode’s girlfriend revealed that he had called her before leaving for church.

When he failed to return home, she maintained that he had indeed gone to church as planned.

Following investigations, the police arrested Prophet Whepetoji Babaniyah, the pastor of CCC Ileri Oluwa Parish, LASU 2, PPL Ojo OkoMiko, Lagos.

Initially, the pastor denied any knowledge of Ogunbode’s whereabouts, claiming he had not been to church that day.

However, further findings revealed a suspicious financial transaction—₦1.5 million was transferred from Ogunbode’s account to the pastor’s account on the same day.

Another transfer was traced to the pastor’s son’s account.

Upon further interrogation, one of the pastor’s accomplices confessed to murdering Ogunbode and harvesting some of his body parts.

The rest of his remains were buried around the church premises.

During a police search, officers discovered the buried remains along with weapons such as guns, axes, and cutlasses, raising suspicions that the pastor and his associates were involved in other criminal activities.

….As Police Assure the Safe Return of Prince Ojajuni.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has intensified efforts to combat organized crime, resulting in the arrest of suspects, recovery of illegal arms, and the rescue of kidnapped victims.

These operations reinforce the police’s commitment to protecting citizens and ensuring national security.

Successful Raid in Taraba State

Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives stormed a criminal hideout in Wamunchi dry season rice farms, Taraba State, on February 26, 2025.

The raid led to the recovery of:

One AK-47 rifle

Seven rounds of live ammunition

Three Dane guns

A bow and arrow

One motorcycle

Additionally, 20 male suspects were arrested. The case has been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigations.

Kidnapped Victims Rescued in Oyo State

In another significant breakthrough, police operatives responded to a kidnapping incident at Agede Village, Moniya, Ibadan.

The victims—Olori Hakimat Sadia (50), Olori Rakyat (45), and Monsuru Ganiyu (20)—were abducted on February 24, 2025, from the palace of Baale Tajudeen Inaolaji by ten armed men.

Following a coordinated operation by the Oyo State Police Command and local security outfits, all three victims were safely rescued, and one suspect was arrested.

Efforts to Rescue Prince Eniola Ojajuni

Inspector General of Police (IGP) has commended the bravery of the officers involved in these operations and ordered the immediate deployment of the FID-Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to ensure the safe return of Prince Eniola Ojajuni, the Afenifere Youth Leader, who was kidnapped on February 17, 2025, while en route to Abuja.

The NPF reassures the public that all necessary resources and expertise are being deployed to facilitate his rescue.

However, the Police urge citizens to avoid speculation and the spread of unverified information on social media, as it may compromise ongoing operations.

Reinforcing Security Nationwide

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring peace and security across the country.

Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old Islamic cleric, Abdulrahman M. Bello, for the gruesome murder of a final-year student at the College of Education, Ilorin, Yetunde Hafsat Lawal.

Commissioner of Police Victor Olaiya confirmed that the suspect confessed during interrogation, stating that he killed Lawal for a money ritual. The police assured the public that justice would be served.

In a statement released by the police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Sunday morning, the command detailed the incident:

“The Kwara State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya psc(+), has arrested one Abdulrahman M. Bello ‘M’, residing at Offa-Garage, Ilorin, aged 25 years, in connection with the gruesome murder of Miss Yetunde Hafsat Lawal ‘F’, aged 24 years.

“On February 11, 2025, at about 1800hrs, Mr. Ibrahim A. Lawal ‘M’ of Adefalu’s Compound, Oju-Ekun Area, Ilorin, reported at the C-Division police headquarters in Oja-Oba that his daughter, Yetunde Lawal, had attended a friend’s baby naming ceremony on February 10, 2025, at about 1400hrs but never returned home.”

Concerned about her whereabouts, Lawal’s mother contacted her friends, but no useful information was obtained.

Her father attempted to reach her by phone, but the calls went unanswered.

“Her phone number was tracked, and the result led to the arrest of Abdulrahman M. Bello. The suspect was immediately taken into custody,” the statement continued.

During interrogation, Bello confessed to the crime, revealing that he murdered Lawal for money rituals, locally known as oshole or ajoo ówò.

A search of his residence uncovered disturbing evidence, including:

Two mobile phones and the slippers of the deceased

Dismembered body parts (both hands)

A plastic bottle containing the victim’s blood

A cutlass, knife, and axe

A wooden box of black soap

A sack containing charms

A center table used for the act

The police confirmed that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Ilorin, for further investigation and prosecution.

“The Kwara Command extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May Almighty God console and comfort them in this period of grief while assuring that justice will be served,” the statement read.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. For emergencies, the police provided contact numbers: 07032069501 or 08125275046.