The Ogun State Police Command has launched a manhunt for two farm laborers, identified as Danjuma and Victor, in connection with the alleged murder of a commercial motorcyclist named Shola Olarewaju.
According to information gathered by PUNCH Online, the incident occurred on January 28 in Alago Meji Street, Isara-Remo, Ogun State, where the suspects reportedly strangulated Olarewaju before stealing his motorcycle and fleeing the scene.
Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Omolola Odutola, disclosed exclusively to PUNCH Online that the suspects, believed to be fleeing the town with Olarewaju’s motorcycle, were intercepted by a member of a local vigilante. Upon being questioned, the suspects claimed they were heading to the house of their employer, Sekinah Awosanya, who had brought them from Osun State to work on her farm in Isara.
However, suspicion arose when the vigilante member noticed inconsistencies in their story. Subsequently, the suspects abandoned Olarewaju’s motorcycle and fled when they arrived at Awosanya’s house. Further investigations led to the discovery of Olarewaju’s body at the house where the suspects had been staying. The victim’s hands and legs were found tied behind him, indicating he had been strangled.
Awosanya has been detained for investigation, and the case, which is yet to uncover the motive behind the murder, will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department after preliminary investigations.
Although the motive remains unclear, attacks on commercial motorcyclists in Remo communities have been reported in the past. Notably, in 2023, the Amotekun Corps in Ogun State rescued another commercial motorcyclist named Mohammed Bashiru and retrieved his motorcycle from a suspected robber in Ode-Remo. The suspect was subsequently arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.