The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday paraded 49 suspects, who were alleged to be involved in the killing of Agugu Divisional Police Officer, Ikeokwu Nwogu.
Nwogu was murdered on April 1, 2015 at the Adekile area of Ibadan during a reign of anarchy that reared its head in the aftermath of alleged discovery of a kidnappers’ den in the area.
The police said their investigation had established that the claim was false.
The state command’s Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Katsina, during the parade of the suspects, said the slain officer died from machete and gun injuries. He added that his pistol was taken away by the hoodlums.
He said, “On April 1, 2015, there was a distress call received by late Nwogu that a mob had laid siege to the Adekile area of Orita-Aperin over a false alarm that a house in the area was being used for ritual purpose.
“The DPO responded promptly and moved to the scene with his men. On arrival at the scene, he addressed the mob who attempted to set the building ablaze.
“A thorough search was conducted by the DPO and some members of the public, but the allegation was not confirmed. However, some criminal elements in the process attacked the DPO and inflicted machete cuts on him and also shot him. They also made away with his service pistol.”
Katsina said he personally led the ambush squad that investigated the killing in the area, which led to the arrest of the 49 suspects. Some of them were arrested in Lagos and Abeokuta, Ogun State, where they had sought refuge after the crime.
He said, “Forty nine of the callous murderers and arsonists have been arrested. The machetes, guns, charms used in committing the crime have been recovered. We also recovered property looted at the scene.”
One of the hoodlums, who identified himself as Lapampa, said his brother, Ramon, was involved in the killing.
He said, “After I was arrested, I took the police to where Ramon was hiding. He named his accomplices ─ Anta, Olumoko, Tesi, Alausa, Ijebu and Alayaki.
“My name is popular in the area and that is why I am being linked with the DPO’s killing.”
