Arrest Made of Prime Suspect in Ogun Ritual Killings as Police Issue Urgent Appeal

The Ogun state police command has made a fervent appeal to the public, urging individuals with missing relatives to approach the command in Abeokuta, the state capital, armed with photographs for potential identification. The plea follows the arrest of three suspects linked to and confessing their involvement in approximately ten missing persons' cases within the state.

Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, conveyed this message during a press briefing in Abeokuta, highlighting the ongoing efforts to uncover the identities of additional victims. He also emphasized the need for caution among youths in their interactions on social media, revealing that all victims had been lured to their tragic demise through such platforms.

The arrest of Adebayo Olamide Azeez, the main perpetrator in the case, and another principal suspect, Maria Awuraji, marked a significant breakthrough. Azeez, initially on the run, was apprehended based on credible information about his whereabouts. During interrogation, he disclosed their serial killings of primarily female victims, facilitated through the "mychat" hook-up platform on social media.

Azeez confessed to luring seven victims between September 2023 and January 11, 2024, triggering the investigation with the case of Sulaimon Adijat. Further developments included the identification of a bag belonging to missing Olanrewaju Sarah Abosede, as revealed by a relative who saw the press briefing. Azeez confirmed their involvement in the murder of Adijat and Abosede at the residence of Moses Abidemi Awuraji in Igbo Olomi Atan, Ogun State. The suspects confessed to strangulating their victims, dismembering their bodies, and selling the body parts for ritual purposes.

CP Alamutu disclosed that the three suspects admitted to killing ten different women at the Igbo Olomi residence of Moses Abidemi. Mariam Aruwaji was apprehended with a Tecno Camon phone that belonged to the late Olanwaju Sarah Abosede.

In conclusion, the police urged the youth to refrain from negative behaviors and use social media positively. They stressed that the victims were lured to their tragic fate through social media platforms. The command is diligently working to identify other victims, urging families with missing relatives to provide photographs for possible recognition at the State Criminal Department, State CID Eleweran, Ogun State. The suspects have assured the police that they can recognize the victims based on the provided photographs.