- recover stolen vehicle
By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a commercial motorcyclist, Segun Olatunji, who was lured to his death under the pretense of a routine passenger ride.
The suspects, aged 19, and 27, reportedly posed as farmers and hired Olatunji to transport them from Odo-Ori in Iwo to a supposed farmland along the Oluponna axis of the town, offering him ₦5,000 for the trip.
However, the journey took a deadly turn when, on reaching a secluded area, the unsuspecting motorcyclist was reportedly attacked.
According to police sources, one of the suspects confessed during interrogation that he stabbed the victim in the neck, dragged him off the motorcycle, and slit his throat. The motive, police say, was to steal the motorcycle.
Police sources said that when Olatunji failed to return home, his family reported him missing at the Iwo Divisional Police Headquarters.
Detectives swiftly launched an investigation and traced the suspects to Ibafo in Ogun State, where they were arrested while attempting to sell the victim’s Bajaj motorcycle with registration number FKJ 595 QN.
In a chilling revelation, one of the suspects reportedly confessed to being part of a four-man gang responsible for three other armed robbery attacks in Ori-Eru, Agbowo, and Ebu Alare all within Iwo.
A knife and the stolen motorcycle were recovered from the suspects, who are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.
In a separate operation, police officers from the Command’s Prompt Response Unit intercepted a golden Toyota Camry with registration number JZ 756 ABC during a routine stop-and-search at Unity Junction, Ikire, on August 29.
The driver, upon being asked to present vehicle documents, reportedly abandoned the car and fled the scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle had been stolen earlier that day from Owode-Ede. The police have launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspect.
Confirming the arrests and recovery, the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Gotan, advised commercial motorcyclists to be vigilant and security conscious while conducting their daily business.
“Not every passenger is who they claim to be. These crimes are reminders that evil often hides behind innocent faces,” he warned.
The Commissioner reiterated the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents and bringing all criminal elements to justice.
