TRAGEDY: Police Arrested Three for Killing and Beheading Okada Rider

State Police Command has reported an ugly development in the investigation of the murder of a commercial motorcyclist, Rafiu Akano, whose severed head was recovered after a tragic incident in Asunlere village, Oke-Oyi, located in the Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Rafiu Akano, a 34-year-old man who recently acquired a new motorcycle for commercial purposes, was allegedly killed by three men identified as Peter Samuel, Jeremiah Tiozinda, and Sunday Agbenke. The police apprehended the suspects after discovering the headless body of the Okada rider on Monday at the crime scene. The suspects, who have since confessed to the crime, revealed that they disposed of the severed head by throwing it into a river.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, the Kwara State Police Command announced, “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to inform the public of an important breakthrough, wherein police investigators at the SCID Ilorin have recovered the dismembered remains of the late Rafiu Akano, 34 years old, who was brutally murdered by Peter Samuel, Jeremiah Tiozinda, and Sunday Agbenke on 4th November 2024.” The police added that all three suspects admitted to carrying out the murder with the intent to dispossess Rafiu of his motorcycle.

The account of the incident provided by the suspects revealed that Sunday Agbenke had initially provided the phone contact of Rafiu to Peter Samuel. Using this information, the suspects lured Rafiu to an undisclosed location. As they traveled together, Peter Samuel feigned a need to relieve himself, which allowed Jeremiah Tiozinda the opportunity to strike Rafiu on the head with a stick. Rafiu attempted to escape but was ultimately overpowered. Peter Samuel then used a cutlass to sever Rafiu’s head, while Jeremiah Tiozinda disposed of the cutlass and dismembered part into a nearby stream before fleeing with the motorcycle.

During the attack, the noise drew the attention of a vigilante patrol team, which immediately pursued the suspects. The culprits abandoned the stolen motorcycle and fled into a nearby bush. However, Peter Samuel’s mobile phone was left at the crime scene, enabling police detectives to track and arrest them.

One of the suspects, Peter Samuel, admitted that they committed the crime to fund his wife’s burial expenses. Samuel explained, “I’m from Benue State. Sunday Agbenke gave us the phone number of the Okada rider, who he said had recently bought a new motorcycle. We hired the Okada rider to take us to Oloru, in the Moro Local Government Area. We killed him to take possession of his motorcycle because we needed money to transport my wife’s body home for burial.”

Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Victor Olaiya, confirmed that the suspects will face arraignment in court after the completion of investigations. He reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and highlighted the enforcement of a restriction on motorcycle and tricycle movement between 9 pm and 6 am daily. Commissioner Olaiya warned that anyone violating this restriction would be prosecuted.

The Kwara State Police Command’s swift action underscores its dedication to bringing perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice and maintaining peace in the community.