By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Lagos State Police Command has made a breakthrough in the murder investigation of Adedamola Ogunbode, a 2024 graduate of Lagos State University (LASU).
The police have discovered a shallow grave where Ogunbode was reportedly buried, following the arrest of the prime suspect, Olaoluwa Ajisomo.
Ajisomo, who was rumored to have fled to Benin Republic, was apprehended on Monday morning in the Alakuko area of Lagos.
According to Police spokesperson Chief Superintendent of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, Ajisomo was the one who cleared the victim’s bank account through the victim’s mobile phone.
Earlier, BlackBox Nigeria reported that the police had earlier announced the arrest of three suspects, including a pastor, Whepetoji Sunday, and a church member, Sheriff Adebayo, who allegedly received N70,000 and N300,000 respectively from the victim’s account.
The prime suspect’s mother, Omolara Ajisomo, was also taken into custody for allegedly helping her children flee after they received money from the victim’s account.
The investigation has revealed that Ajisomo has confessed to the murder, and police detectives are on their way to exhume the body.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case, following threats of a statewide protest by the students’ union.
Hundeyin clarified that the shallow grave was not located within the church premises, contrary to speculation on social media. “The shallow grave is not around the church premises, but it is there in the community,” he said.
The police have also sealed off the church where the arrested cleric worshipped, following intelligence reports of a planned arson in retaliation.
“The church was sealed following intelligence reports that some people planned to burn it out of vengeance, and we do not want that to happen,” Hundeyin stated.
The discovery of the shallow grave and the arrest of the prime suspect bring hope to the parents and friends of the deceased, who had been searching for justice since Ogunbode went missing on January 16, 2025.
