…As Ondo Police Parade 11 Suspected Criminals
The Ondo State Police detectives have arrested Monday Chukwu, 34, for allegedly stabbing his friend, Kefa Ofando, 30, to death over N2,000 debt.
The incident was said to have happened on September 20, 2024, in the Odigbo council area of the state.
While parading the suspect on Thursday, along with 10 others in Akure, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, explained that Chukwu stabbed Ofando during a heated argument over the debt, which had escalated into violence.
He stated that a pair of scissors Chukwu used in the attack, was recovered at the scene by police crime scene experts, and Ofando was declared dead by a medical professional.
Oladipo also noted that further investigations are underway, and Chukwu will be charged to court soon. He urged the public to avoid violent people and to exercise restraint during disputes.
Oladipo said, ” on the 20th of September, 2024, operatives of the Ondo State Police Command attached to the Odigbo Divisional Police Headquarters, acting on a complaint, swiftly responded and arrested one Monday Chukwu, a 34-year-old resident of Akintola village in the Odigbo area of the state.
“The suspect allegedly stabbed one Kefa Ofando, aged 30, to death.
“Discrete investigation revealed that the deceased had borrowed the suspect the sum of two thousand Naira, which, when demanded a few days later, led to an argument during which the suspect stabbed the victim with scissors on his neck.
“Upon arrival at the scene, crime scene experts recovered a pair of scissors, while a medical practitioner confirmed Kefa Ofando dead.
”Investigation is ongoing, and the suspect will soon be charged to court upon conclusion.
“However, this underscores the importance of staying away from violent individuals and the need to act with restraint, especially when angry or under pressure.”
Similarly, he disclosed other criminal activities committed by 11 of the suspects paraded, including killings, robbery, arson and removal of the vehicle brain boxes and other parts from their victim’s vehicle.
Among the suspects arrested was a 16-year-old Precious Kolawole, a domestic staff accused of murdering Mrs. Adeniyi Iyabode, the CEO of Bola Country Kitchen, a popular caterer in Ondo State.
According to the police, Kolawole and two accomplices, including 17-year-old Emmanuel Philip, planned the murder after overhearing Mrs. Iyabode discussing a large sum of money in her bank account.
After killing her, the suspects withdrew N30,000 from her account using her ATM card they stole. Kolawole, a secondary school student, who fled the community after the murder, was later apprehended by the police.
Oladipo said that investigation revealed multiple knife and machete wounds on the victim, with Kolawole and Philip confessing to their roles in the crime. He noted that both suspects will be charged to court following the conclusion of the investigation.
He said, ”In a voluntary statement expressed their individual degrees of involvement in the dastardly act.
“The first suspect, Precious Kolawole, claimed to have heard Mrs Adeniyi talking about receiving a substantial amount of money through her bank account and, on the heels of this, recruited Philip Emmanuel, the second suspect, to jointly murder the victim gruesomely.
“Clinical investigation revealed knife wounds inflicted by Philip Emmanuel and machete cuts by Precious Kolawole, resulting in the death of the victim.
” It was also gathered that the victim successfully withdrew the sum of thirty thousand Naira from her account via her ATM card.”
The police commissioner however advised the public to adopt safety measures such as concealing ATM PINs and installing CCTV cameras to improve personal security.
“While the suspect is still in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation, it is pertinent to reiterate that safety measures like observing restraint in monetary discussions around domestic staff, concealing one’s ATM PIN, and installing CCTV surveillance cameras are necessary to optimise personal safety and security,” he added.
Moreso, the police commissioner, also revealed that another suspect, Renan Niju, was arrested in connection with an arson case in Lapepe, Bolorunduro.
He stated that Niju who allegedly set fire to a school due to a chieftaincy dispute in the community, was arrested by local vigilantes and police while attempting to return to the property to carry out further criminal acts.
”He ran out of luck as local vigilantes, working in concert with the police for intelligence gathering in the area, apprehended him before he could carry out his dastardly acts,” he said
Items recovered from Niju included a lighter, a liquid suspected to be fuel, Indian hemp, a Nigerian flag, and a handcuff key.
Oladipo emphasised the importance of vigilance, and urged the public to ensure their properties are secure.
He assured the public that all suspects will face justice upon conclusion of the investigation.