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, according to a statement signed by
Force Spokesman, DCP, Frank Mba
The suspects are:Lawal Mazaje ‘m’ 40yrs from Felele area of Kogi State,
Adamu Adamu ‘m’ 50yrs from Jada area of Adamawa State, Mohammed Shehu
Usman ‘m’ 26 years from Illela area of Sokoto State and Auwal Abubakar
‘m’ 25yrs from Shinkafi area of Zamfara State
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 Inspector General of Police,
IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni deployed the Commissioner of Police in charge of
the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), 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 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.
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, arrested one Auwal Abubakar ‘m’ 25yrs, an accessory after
the fact of the crime, along Sagamu-Ore expressway in Ondo State. 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.
Having established sufficient physical and forensic evidence linking the
suspects to the killing of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, the investigators,
determined to clear all doubts relating to their findings, on 8th April,
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. 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.
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. While four
(4) of the suspects (mentioned above) are in custody, effort is being
intensified to arrest the four (4) others still on the run. The 8-man
gang has their operational base and membership spread in the
south-western part of the country and Edo State. 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.
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. 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.
Meanwhile, the IGP appreciates Nigerians for the patience and support to
the Police throughout the period of the investigations into the
unfortunate incident. 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.