Kwara: Suspect confesses to beheading Okada rider

A 38-year old suspect, Peter Samuel, on Wednesday, confessed to the killing of an Okada rider, Rafiu Akao, at Oke-Oyi town in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The incident occurred at Asunlere area of the town on November 4, 2024.

In an interview with journalists after the suspect was paraded alongside four others involved in the incident by the state police commissioner, Victor Olaiya, Peter Samuel said “I used cutlass to cut the head of the Okada rider” in the attempt to snatch the new motorcycle bought by the deceased.

The suspect said he was lured to commit the act by one ‘Oga’ who told him the business would fetch them big money.

The four other suspects include Jeremiah Tiozinda (M) 26 yrs, Sunday Agbenke (M) 40 yrs, Yusuf Abdulkareem (M) 22 yrs, and Jaiyeola Fatai (F) 40 yrs.

Exhibits recovered included one Itel android phone and a motorcycle.

Speaking on the tragic incident, the police commissioner, disclosed that “On November 4, 2024, at about 2109 hrs, a report was received from the residents of Asunlere community, Oke-Oyi, Ilorin, Kwara State.

“Three men, namely Abdulrasheed Ola Sheu, Ismail Muhammed, and others, arrived at Oke-oyi Police Division to report the discovery of a headless body lying near a stream within the area.

“Upon receiving the report, detectives were swiftly dispatched to the scene. Photographic evidence was captured, revealing a significant mark of violence around the neck, indicating that the head was severed.

“The body was subsequently evacuated and deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital morgue, pending an autopsy.

“At the crime scene, detectives recovered an Itel Android phone, which was suspected to belong to one of the assailants, as well as a motorcycle believed to be the deceased’s property. Further search revealed that the deceased’s phone was also found on him.

“Detectives intensified efforts to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. These efforts yielded results in the early hours of November 6, 2024. Based on reliable intelligence, two suspects were apprehended at separate locations. The suspects were identified as Peter Samuel (M), Jeremiah Tiozinda (M) and Sunday Agbenke (M).”

“Both individuals confessed to committing the crime. Additionally, the recovered android phone was confirmed to belong to suspect Peter Samuel, who was planning to flee from the state. During interrogation, the suspects revealed that they disposed of the victim’s severed head in a nearby river.

“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation, Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses. The suspects will subsequently be arraigned in court,” he added.