Four Suspects Arrested for Murder of FULOKOJA Student Damilola Abigail Oluwoyo
Four suspects, including Jeremiah Paul Awe, have been apprehended for the ritualistic murder of 17-year-old Federal University Lokoja student, Damilola Abigail Oluwoyo.
Mary Nwaeze 
The Kogi State Police Command has apprehended four suspects involved in the murder of Damilola Abigail Oluwoyo, a 17-year-old student of Federal University Lokoja. The crime, which involved alleged ritualistic motives, has shocked the community and raised concerns about safety and vigilance.
On September 11, 2024, the police arrested Jeremiah Paul Awe, the prime suspect, along with three alleged accomplices: Barnabas Olugbenga, Ajayi Basit Ayomide, and Emmanuel Otitoju. The arrest followed a complaint lodged by Stephen Oluwoyo, the victim’s father, who reported his daughter missing on September 6, 2024.
According to SP William Ovye Aya, the police spokesperson, Jeremiah Paul Awe, a 21-year-old from Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State, confessed to abducting and murdering Damilola. He admitted to drugging her with codeine, then strangling her and mutilating her body in a bush near his lodge in Felele, Lokoja. The suspect revealed that he contacted Damilola’s father to demand a ransom of N400,000, which was intended to fund ritual practices with a native doctor he had contacted via TikTok.
Statements from Suspects:
- Barnabas Olugbenga: In his statement, Olugbenga, 20, from Kaduna State, claimed ignorance of the murder plans. He recounted traveling to Lokoja with his friend, Jeremiah, and staying with Ayomide before proceeding to Ibadan for ritual preparations. He denied any knowledge of the crime.
- Ajayi Basit Ayomide: Ayomide, a 19-year-old student of Microbiology at Federal University Lokoja, stated that he hosted Jeremiah and his associates temporarily but was unaware of their criminal intentions.
- Emmanuel Otitoju: Otitoju, a 24-year-old Sociology student, denied involvement, stating he had only advised Damilola on resolving a dispute with her boyfriend and had only advised Damilola on resolving a dispute with her boyfriend and had no knowledge of the plot against her.
Police Response: SP Aya condemned the inhumane act and urged students and parents to be cautious about their associations. He highlighted the severity of the crime and warned that the police would not tolerate such criminal activities in Kogi State. Aya emphasized the need for vigilance and urged the public to be wary of individuals with ulterior motives. The police have vowed to bring the suspects to justice, and the case serves as a stern warning to other potential criminals. The suspects will be arraigned in court once the investigation concludes.
Further Actions: The Kogi State Police Command is continuing its investigation and working closely with other security agencies to ensure the safety of the community and prevent similar crimes.
