Fatimah Otunsanya
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three suspects — Maureen Okirie, 35; Salia Karikari, 15; and Jubril Karikari, 12 — in connection with the alleged murder and attempted secret burial of one Stanley Okirie, 38, in Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of the state.
The deceased, who was believed to have been attacked with a pestle, was reportedly about to be secretly buried by family members when police operatives, acting on intelligence, swooped on the suspects and arrested them.
The spokesperson for the state Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Friday.
Babaseyi said, “Detectives of the Ajuwon Division, Ogun State Police Command, have arrested three suspects, namely Maureen Okirie ‘F’, aged 35, Salia Karikari ‘M’, aged 15, and Jubril Karikari ‘M’, aged 12, in connection with the alleged murder of one Stanley Okirie ‘M’, aged 38, in Akute, Ogun State.
The suspects were apprehended on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at about 11:15 a.m., following an anonymous tip-off regarding suspicious activities in the area. Acting promptly on the information, detectives arrived at the scene and caught one of the suspects attempting to bury a blood-drenched corpse in a shallow grave, in what is suspected to be an effort to conceal the crime.
“Preliminary examination of the body revealed a severe injury to the victim’s head. Further investigation indicates that the victim was allegedly attacked with a wooden pestle, while the other suspects, who are relatives of the deceased, conspired in the commission of the crime and the attempted cover-up.
“The suspected murder weapon has been recovered, and the body has been deposited at the Life Channel Mortuary, Olambe, for autopsy.
“The suspects are currently in police custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation and prosecution.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bode Ojajuni, condemned the act, describing the incident as cruel, inhumane, and deeply disturbing, particularly as it allegedly involved close family members.
Ojajuni emphasised that such acts of violence and attempts to conceal crimes would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The commissioner further assured the public that the command is fully committed to a thorough and transparent investigation, adding that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
He also called on residents to remain security conscious, promptly report suspicious activities, and continue to cooperate with the police in the collective effort to rid society of criminal elements.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activities through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines: Gateway Shield (toll-free) 0800 000 9111; 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994.
