Ogun broadcaster’s murder: Prime suspect reveals motive behind killing

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the gruesome murder of veteran broadcaster and retired Ogun State Television (OGTV) presenter, Kitan Oyesiku, popularly known as Aunty Kitan, and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo.

The arrests come barely five days after the shocking killings, which occurred at the broadcaster’s residence in the Kobape area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Police authorities identified the suspects as Sodeinde Olajuwon Phillip, 22; Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola, 27; and Sobu Obafunsho, 36.

According to investigators, the principal suspect, Sodeinde, is a former security guard employed by the deceased who allegedly recruited the two others to participate in the deadly attack.

The tragic incident came to light last Saturday when the lifeless bodies of Oyesiku and her 38-year-old security guard were discovered within the premises of her residence.

The spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, had earlier disclosed that Adetayo’s body was found inside the security post, while Oyesiku’s corpse was discovered lying face-up inside her apartment.

Police also confirmed that the broadcaster’s Lexus RX 330 vehicle was missing from the residence following the attack, raising suspicions that robbery may have formed part of the motive behind the crime.

Speaking while parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, said detectives launched an extensive investigation involving intelligence gathering and technical tracking to identify those responsible.

According to him, investigators recorded a major breakthrough on June 22 when the missing vehicle was recovered through intelligence-led operations.

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The police chief explained that although the suspects had removed the vehicle’s ignition key and detached its registration plates in an apparent attempt to conceal its identity, detectives recovered one of the number plates hidden beneath a seat, enabling authorities to confirm ownership.

“Acting on credible intelligence and technical tracking analysis, operatives successfully traced and recovered the missing Lexus RX 330 belonging to the deceased,” Ojajuni said.

The commissioner revealed that one of the most critical pieces of evidence recovered from the crime scene was a handwritten note allegedly left behind by the perpetrators.

According to him, forensic examination of the note generated valuable leads that significantly assisted detectives in identifying and tracking the suspects.

He noted that subsequent intelligence gathering and painstaking investigations led to the arrest of the principal suspect, Sodeinde, on June 24 at a construction site in Ibara Government Reservation Area (GRA), Abeokuta, where he had been working as a labourer.

Further operations led to the arrest of Ayoola, a security guard, and Obafunsho, a bricklayer, bringing all identified members of the alleged conspiracy into police custody.

During interrogation, police said the principal suspect confessed to participating in the killing and claimed he committed the crime to “teach her a lesson.”

Ojajuni disclosed that investigations revealed that even after leaving Oyesiku’s employment, Sodeinde allegedly continued to contact the deceased to demand financial assistance.

The police chief said the suspect harboured long standing grievances against the broadcaster from the period he worked as her security guard.

“The suspect stated that the murder of Madam Olakitan Oyesiku was intended to teach her a lesson,” the commissioner said.

According to preliminary findings, the suspects first overpowered the security guard before using him to gain access to the residence.

After entering the premises, they allegedly attacked Oyesiku inside her home before eventually killing both victims.

Police believe the attack was carefully planned and executed by individuals familiar with the layout and security arrangements of the residence.

Searches conducted at locations linked to the suspects led to the recovery of several items believed to be connected to the crime.

“Investigation is ongoing to consolidate all available evidence and ensure diligent prosecution of all suspects connected with the crime,” Ojajuni stated.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, Wale Olarewaju, commended the police for swiftly uncovering the circumstances surrounding the killings.

He expressed appreciation to the Ogun State Police Command for its efforts in tracking down the suspects and advancing the investigation.

The murder of Oyesiku, a respected broadcaster widely known as Aunty Kitan, had sparked widespread outrage among journalists, media practitioners, and residents of Ogun State, who demanded justice for the slain media veteran and her security guard.

With the arrest of the three suspects, attention is now focused on the next phase of the investigation and eventual prosecution as authorities seek to secure justice for the victims and their families.