The Nigerian Police Force has announced the arrest of the alleged killers of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti.
Mrs Funke was attacked and killed by gunmen on July 12, 2019, between Kajola and Ore along Ondo-Ore Road in Ondo State.
Following the incident, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, deployed the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Fimihan Adeoye, to find her killers.
After months of search, the police have finally apprehended the culprits. On April 8 2020, the police conducted an identification parade at the Federal SARS Headquarters, Lagos, which led to the positive and physical identification of three of the suspects, Adamu Adamu, Lawal Mazaje and Mohammed Shehu Usman.
Investigations revealed that the operation that led to the killing of Olakunrin, was carried out by eight fully armed kidnap/robbery suspects led by one Tambaya who is currently at large.
While four of the suspects are in custody, the effort is being intensified to arrest the four others still on the run.
KILLERS OF MRS FUNKE OLAKUNRIN, DAUGHTER OF CHIEF REUBEN FASORANTI, NABBED.
– IGP assures diligent prosecution of culprits
– declares gang leader, Tambaya, wanted— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
Police Operatives have arrested the killers of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the leader of the PAN-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasorantin.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
The suspects are:
i. Lawal Mazaje ‘m’ 40yrs from Felele area of Kogi State
ii. Adamu Adamu 'm' 50yrs from Jada area of Adamawa State.
iii. Mohammed Shehu Usman 'm' 26 years from Illela area of Sokoto State
iv. Auwal Abubakar 'm’ 25yrs from Shinkafi area of Zamfara State— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
Recall that on 13th July, 2019, following the attack and murder of Mrs Funke Olakunrin by unknown persons between Kajola and Ore along Ondo-Ore road in Ondo State on 12th July, 2019, the IGP deployed the CP in charge of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), …
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
CP Fimihan Adeoye, to coordinate the team of Police Special Forces and seasoned investigators from the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), Federal SARS, Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and …
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) from the Force Headquarters, Abuja to carry out massive manhunt for the killers with the aim of arresting and bringing them to justice.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
Meanwhile, after months of relentless efforts to apprehend the killers, the Police Team, on 4th March, 2020 during a follow-up action on a case of a high-profile armed robbery and kidnap for ransom that occurred in Ogun State, …
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
arrested one Auwal Abubakar ‘m’ 25yrs, an accessory after the fact of the crime, along Sagamu-Ore expressway in Ondo State.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
The arrest of Auwal Abubakar led to the arrest of two (2) other members of the gang, Mohammed Shehu Usman and Lawal Mazaje in Benin, Edo State from whom cache of ammunition was recovered and one other Adamu Adamu in Akure, Ondo State.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
conducted an Identification Parade at the Federal SARS Headquarters, Lagos which led to the positive and physical identification of three (3) suspects, Adamu Adamu, Lawal Mazaje and Mohammed Shehu Usman by a survivor of the earlier crime.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
The survivor gave a clear description of the roles each of the identified suspects played in the killing. At this point, the suspects capitulated and voluntarily offered a no-holds-barred confession on how Mrs Funke Olakunrin was killed.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
Investigations so far reveal that the operation that led to the killing was carried out by eight (8) fully armed kidnap/robbery suspects led by one Tambaya (other name unknown) who is currently at large.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
Investigations have also revealed that they are responsible for series of high-profile armed robbery and kidnap operations in the region. They also attack, vandalize and steal components of critical national infrastructures such as electrical and telecommunications installations
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
Consequently, the Inspector General of Police hereby declares the principal suspect, Tambaya (other names unknown) wanted for his involvement in the death of Mrs Funke Olakunrin. Tambaya, a Nigerian, speaks Hausa, Fulfulde and Pidgin English languages.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
He is fair in complexion and in his late 20s – between the age of 27 and 30. His last known address is Isanlu, Kogi State. He has visible scar from stitches on his forehead down to his nose and mouth.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
Meanwhile, the IGP appreciates Nigerians for the patience and support to the Police throughout the period of the investigations into the unfortunate incident.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
He assures that the suspects will be diligently prosecuted on completion of investigations and that the Force will not relent until every member of the gang, still at large, is arrested and brought to book.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
PHOTOGRAPH OF THE KILLERS OF MRS FUNKE OLAKUNRIN, DAUGHTER OF CHIEF REUBEN FASORANTI ARRESTED BY THE POLICE pic.twitter.com/MkVmjNKvBI
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) April 16, 2020
