The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the burial site of Adedamola Ogunbode, a graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), following the arrest of the main suspect in the case, Olaoluwa Ajisomo. Ajisomo, who had been rumored to have fled to the Benin Republic, is now cooperating with authorities and guiding detectives to the location of the victim’s grave.
Chief Superintendent of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson for the command, confirmed the developments on Tuesday in an exclusive statement to Punch.
Ogunbode, a Political Science Education graduate, had been missing since January 16, 2025, sparking concerns over his fate. Speculation about the discovery of his mutilated body has been circulating, with authorities now making significant headway in the investigation.
Last week, the police announced the arrest of three suspects in connection with the murder, while five others remain on the run.
Among the arrested individuals is Whepetoji Sunday, a pastor accused of withdrawing N70,000 from Ogunbode’s account, and Sheriff Adebayo, a church member, who allegedly received N300,000 from the victim’s bank.
Additionally, Omolara Ajisomo, the mother of the prime suspect, was taken into custody for allegedly helping her children, Teniola and Olaoluwa Ajisomo, escape after both received N300,000 from Ogunbode’s account.
The case has drawn considerable attention, with the students’ union threatening to stage a statewide protest.
In response, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has instructed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to take over the investigation to ensure a thorough resolution.
Hundeyin revealed that the prime suspect, Olaoluwa Ajisomo, was apprehended on Monday morning in Alakuko, Lagos. He confirmed that Ajisomo had accessed and drained Ogunbode’s bank account using the victim’s mobile phone.
“The principal suspect, Olaoluwa Ajisomo, was arrested yesterday (Monday) morning. He was the one who emptied the victim’s bank account through the victim’s mobile phone,” Hundeyin stated.
While there was speculation that the victim’s body was buried on church grounds, Hundeyin clarified that the grave was located elsewhere in the community.
He also disclosed that the church where the pastor worked had been sealed off due to intelligence reports indicating a possible arson attack in retaliation for the crime.
“The shallow grave is not within the church premises but is located in the surrounding community.
“We have sealed off the church after receiving information that a group planned to burn it down out of revenge,” Hundeyin explained.
A source close to the investigation revealed that police detectives are en route to exhume Ogunbode’s body from the shallow grave.
“I have just received information that the recently arrested suspect has confessed to killing the LASU graduate, and the police are on their way to recover the body,” the source said.
