In Osun, Police Nab wanted killer, others

Voice Air Media, News Update

THE Osun State Police Command has arrested notorious cultist and alleged serial killer, Bode Owoeye, also known as Bode Itaapa, for conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms and murder.

Owoeye, 32, was declared wanted by the police command for involvement in Aiye Confraternity, which has been outlawed in the state.

Announcing Owoeye’s arrest during a suspect parade in Osogbo on Friday, the Osun Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, revealed that his arrest in Ilesa came about as a result of credible intelligence at the disposal of the command.

Opalola also disclosed that Owoeye confessed during interrogation to being a notorious political thug whose group was engaged in the services of Sanya Omirin, the Peoples Democratic Party’s House of Representatives member for Ijesa South Federal Constituency.

According to the police spokesperson: “On 9th February, 2024, at about 6:20 pm, complainants reported at Iperindo Police Station that, on 8th February, 2024, their children Kelechi Agha and Tega Robinson left homes to their mining sites and they did not return before the case was transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad for discreet investigation.

“Credible intelligence revealed that members of the Aye Confraternity were sighted freely moving around with dangerous weapons on that day, which led the detectives to search the hideouts of the cultists, where one Beretta pistol and a black mask were found and registered as exhibits.

“Subsequently, the detectives on the rescue mission later apprehended one Bode Owoeye, aka “Bode Itaapa,” who was identified as a member of Aye Confraternity and who was on the wanted list of Osun State.

“During the interrogation, he confessed that other members of Aye confraternity were responsible for the abduction and killing of the victims inside the bush.

“He also admitted that his group was the political thugs working for one Honourable Sanya Omirin, who usually gives them instructions through another wanted cultist, Adefioye Solomon, aka Solo Iwara, who is responsible for so many killings within the Ilesha axis.

“Also, he confessed that they attacked one Honourable Ayodeji Olaolu, the APC candidate, during the election into the House of Representatives in 2023, at the party secretariat and shot him in his head and chest.

“He further revealed that the confraternity had over 30 pump action rifles, which were mostly procured before the 2023 election.

“Subsequently, the detectives arrested one Samuel David, who was mentioned to be a member of Aye Confraternity and involved in the killing of one Ibrahin Taiwo, aka Omo-Alhaja.

“During the investigations, the suspect mentioned his five fellow hitmen under Kehinde Itaapa, who stormed the venue of the PDP rally on 21/02/2023 and killed the deceased. In the course of the investigation, one of the complainants came to report that, she was the mother of late Taiwo Adebiyi, aka “Omo-Alhaja,” and alleged one Shittu Lekan, aka “Araba” to be the killer of her son.

“Samuel David later took the detectives to Oke-Eta village, where he kept one pump action gun, given to him by Bode Owoeye to perpetrate the crime and it was recovered as an exhibit. Olabode Owoeye stated further that he bought the gun from Mukaila Lateef, his arms dealer, who illegally sold some guns to him.”

Arrested with Owoeye were Mukaila Lateef, 45, and David Samuel, 26.

Exhibits recovered by the police from the gang include one blue-coloured unregistered TVS motorcycle, one locally made Beretta pistol with three live cartridges, one single barrel gun and one pump action.

Others are one black unregulated Highlander Jeep, one black facemask, some charms and two cross bags.

Opalola said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing members and the suspects will be charged in court upon the completion of the investigation.