A key suspect in the abduction and murder of two undergraduates from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, has died while in police custody, the Ondo State Police Command confirmed on Saturday.
The suspect, identified as Femi Oladele, popularly known as Tallex, reportedly died after a brief illness.
He had been arrested in connection with the disappearance and eventual killing of Andrel Okah and John Abba, both 200-level students at the institution.
Okah was a student of the Department of History and International Studies, while Abba was in the Department of Economics.
The duo, who were said to be close friends, went missing three weeks prior to the discovery of their remains.
According to the police, a formal complaint about the students’ disappearance was lodged by concerned colleagues, prompting an investigation.
The probe led to the arrest of Oladele—who was said to be a landlord to one of the victims—and two other suspects.
During interrogation, one of the suspects reportedly confessed to the killing of the two students and disclosed that their bodies had been dumped at separate locations in Ekiti State.
The body of Andrel Okah has since been recovered and deposited in a morgue, while the search for Abba’s remains continues.
While in custody, Oladele was said to have fallen ill. A source close to the investigation told this reporter that he was taken to the hospital when his condition deteriorated, but later died despite medical intervention.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer for Ondo State, Mrs. Olayinka Ayanlade, said:
“Yes, the suspect is dead. He had been under medical supervision since his arrest and had been taken to the hospital multiple times. He passed away in the early hours of Friday.”
She added that the police were committed to ensuring justice for the victims:
“We urge the public to disregard any misinformation or attempt to twist the facts of this case. The command is fully committed to justice, and all persons found culpable will face the full force of the law.”
