..iPhone tracking, confessions lead to arrest of landlord, accomplices

AKURE, Nigeria — The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a chilling case of kidnapping, rape, armed robbery, and double murder involving two students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), whose bodies were found weeks after their mysterious disappearance.

The victims—Abah John Friday, 25, and his friend Okah Andrel Eloho, 19—were declared missing on June 20, 2025, sparking a thorough investigation following a petition submitted by their relative, Mr. Emmanuel Peter of Shagari Village, Akure, through G.O. Omoedu & Co., Legal Practitioners.

This was disclosed during a press briefing by the State Police Commissioner, who disclosed that detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a full-scale operation to trace the victims’ whereabouts.

According to CP Adebowale Lawal, through forensic tracking, investigators traced a missing iPhone 14 Pro Max belonging to one of the victims to Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, where it was recovered from a suspect identified as Abdul Mohammed Mubarak, 38.

Mubarak confessed to buying the phone from one Ojo Michael, who was subsequently arrested in Aramoko-Ekiti. During his arrest, the Lexus RX 350 SUV belonging to the missing students was also recovered.

Under intense interrogation, Ojo Michael admitted to participating in the criminal operation that involved the abduction, robbery, rape, and murder of the students. He revealed that the operation was allegedly masterminded by Oladele Femi, landlord to the male victim, Abah John Friday.

According to Michael, Femi had recruited him and another accomplice identified simply as “Kola”, who remains at large, to execute the heinous plan. During the victims’ captivity, the sum of ₦800,000 was transferred from one of their bank accounts. Michael also confessed to raping the female victim, Okah Eloho.

The tragedy deepened when the female victim recognized Michael during captivity, prompting the assailants to execute both victims in a bid to prevent them from exposing their identities. Their bodies were then dumped at separate locations between Agbado and Ode-Ekiti.

Following these confessions, the police arrested Oladele Femi, who admitted to being the mastermind and helping to conceal the crime. Based on his confession, detectives were able to recover the remains of the female victim in a bush near Ode-Ekiti, which have since been deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

Efforts are still ongoing to recover the remains of the male victim, who is believed to have been dumped in a river by the at-large suspect, Kola.

Describing the incident as a “tragic reminder of the brutality of premeditated crimes and the devastating consequences of betrayal and greed,” the Police Command vowed to leave no stone unturned in bringing all culprits to justice.

“This case is heartbreaking,” the spokesperson for the Command stated. “Two promising lives were cut short in the most brutal and senseless manner. We assure the public that every effort is being made to arrest the remaining suspect and ensure that justice is fully served.”

The Ondo Police Command has also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or persons that may aid in the arrest of the fleeing suspect, Kola.