By Danmaryam Zayamu
Police detectives have arrested four suspects in connection with the killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of Chief Reuben Fasorantin.
Chief Fasorantin is one of the leaders of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere.
The four suspects, according to a statement by the Force Spokesman, Frank Mba, include Lawal Mazaje, 40yrs from Felele area of Kogi State; Adamu Adamu, 50yrs from Jada area of Adamawa State; Mohammed Shehu Usman, 26 years from Illela area of Sokoto State and Auwal Abubakar, 25yrs from Shinkafi area of Zamfara State.
ExpressDay recalls that Mrs. Olakunrin was killed by unknown gun men on July 12, 2019, between Kajola and Ore along Ondo-Ore road in Ondo State.
Since then, police detectives have been on the trail of the suspects.
According to the statement, “after months of relentless efforts to apprehend the killers, the Police Team, on March 4, 2020, during a follow-up action on a case of a high-profile armed robbery and kidnap for ransom that occurred in Ogun State, arrested one Auwal Abubakar-25yrs, an accessory after the fact of the crime, along Sagamu-Ore expressway in Ondo State.
“The arrest of Auwal Abubakar led to the arrest of 2 other members of the gang, Mohammed Shehu Usman and Lawal Mazaje in Benin, Edo State from whom cache of ammunition was recovered and one other Adamu Adamu in Akure, Ondo State.”
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has declared the principal suspect, Tambaya (other names unknown) wanted for his involvement in the death of Olakunrin.
He is a Nigerian, speaks Hausa, Fulfulde and Pidgin English languages. He is fair in complexion and in his late 20s – between the age of 27 and 30.
His last known address is Isanlu, Kogi State. He has visible scar from stitches on his forehead down to his nose and mouth, according to the police.
The statement further explained that: “Investigations so far reveal that the operation that led to the killing was carried out by 8 fully armed kidnap/robbery suspects led by one Tambaya (other name unknown) who is currently at large.
“While 4 of the suspects (mentioned above) are in custody, effort is being intensified to arrest the 4 others still on the run.
“The 8-man gang has their operational base and membership spread in the south-western part of the country and Edo State.
“Investigations have also revealed that they are responsible for series of high-profile armed robbery and kidnap operations in the region. They also attack, vandalize and steal components of critical national infrastructures such as electrical and telecommunications installations.”
