The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, has spoken on the progress the command has made in the investigation of the killing of a graduate of the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Mojisola Awesu.
He said her iPhone and the SIM were found with the pastor’s father and mother of the prime suspect.
The suspect, Adebayo Happiness, the parents, and four other suspects have been arrested.
Mojisola, 21, who was invited to Ilorin, the state capital, by a dismissed student of Summit University, Offa, Adebayo Happiness, to act as his girlfriend at a party for a fee of N15,000, was allegedly murdered in a hotel where she was lodged on Friday, August 9, 2024.
Parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Ilorin on Friday, Olaiya said seven suspects had been arrested in connection with the alleged murder.
The police boss said, “Those arrested include the prime suspect, Adebayo Happiness, his parents, Pastor Adebayo Adeniyi; and his wife, Mrs Bukola Adeniyi; Miss Kolawola Timileyin who linked the deceased with the prime suspect as well as three workers of the hotel where she was lodged and gruesomely killed.
“The hotel workers arrested include Adeoye Adeola, Lawal Amina, and Bulus Peter.”
According to the police boss, after the murder was committed, the suspect “returned to Offa and concealed the stolen phone in his hostel wardrobe. Through careful and discreet investigation, Mr and Mrs Adebayo Adeniyi, the suspect’s parents, were apprehended.
“Following their son’s arrest, they attempted to tamper with evidence by retrieving Adebayo Joshua Happiness’ belongings from his school. It was discovered that Mrs Adeniyi Bukola had removed the SIM card from the deceased’s iPhone and concealed it within a wall some distance from their residence.
“Contrary to Adebayo Joshua Happiness’ initial claim that he had discarded the phone into the Afelele River, Offa, both the iPhone and SIM card were recovered from his parents’ possession.
“After further investigation, it was discovered that the hotel staff on duty found the deceased’s body in the room and unlawfully disposed of her body at the refuse dump.”
The CP said that upon completion of the investigation, the suspects would be “duly charged to court to face the full extent of the law.
“We assure the public that the Kwara State Police Command remains committed to ensuring justice and maintaining peace and security within the community. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”