Authorities in Ondo State have arrested a landlord and two other suspects in connection with the abduction and brutal killing of two undergraduates from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).
The development was confirmed on Wednesday in Akure by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adebowale Lawal, during a press briefing where he outlined recent breakthroughs recorded by the command.
Lawal identified the victims as Abah Friday, a 25-year-old male, and his 19-year-old female friend, Okah Eloho. Both students were declared missing on June 20, 2025.
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The Commissioner disclosed that the landlord, Oladele Femi, had confessed to being the brains behind the crime and also played a role in hiding the bodies.
He explained that the case came to light following a petition filed on June 24, 2025, by legal representatives from G.O. Omoedu & Co. on behalf of Mr. Emmanuel Peter, a resident of Shagari Village in Akure. The petition raised concerns over the disappearance of Mr. Peter’s younger brother, Friday, and his companion, Eloho.
“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,” Lawal said.
He continued, “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.”
According to Lawal, Michael later admitted to being involved in the robbery, kidnapping, and murder of the two students. He further disclosed that the plot was organized by the landlord of the male victim.
“Michael further disclosed that the operation was masterminded by one Oladele Femi ‘m’—the landlord of the male victim,” he stated.
The Commissioner said Femi recruited Michael and another suspect known as “Kola,” who is currently on the run, to carry out the attack. Investigators discovered that during the period the victims were held, N800,000 was transferred from Friday’s bank account.
Lawal said the female victim was also sexually assaulted before she and Friday were murdered.
“Michael confessed to raping the female victim after she recognized him and revealed his identity. He added that the suspect killed both the girl and her friend, Friday, in order to silence them and avoid being exposed,” Lawal revealed.
The suspects later disposed of the bodies in separate locations between Agbado and Ode-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of Oladele Femi, who, during confrontation, confessed to initiating the plot and aiding in the concealment of the murders.
“Acting on this confession, detectives recovered the body of the female victim in a bush near Ode-Ekiti, and it has since 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,” he said.
Lawal assured that the police would not relent in tracking down the remaining suspect and ensuring that justice is served.
“Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspect, recover the remains of Abah John Friday, and ensure that everyone involved is brought to justice,” he concluded.
— NAN
