An accused serial killer, Sunday Shodipe, who escaped from lawful police custody on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, was re-arrested by the Oyo State Police Command on Sunday, August 23, 2020. He was apprehended at Bodija market area of Ibadan, at about 1030hrs.
Reporters At Large learnt that after escaping from police custody at Mokola Division on August 11, Shodipe went to a nearby mechanics’ workshop to steal clothing to wear, and headed towards Bodija market, where he slept.
He was said to have gone to Elewure at Akinyele area on August 12 but went back to Bodija market, close to Ojoo-Iwo Road, to sleep.
On August 13, the Reporters At Large further gathered that the accused serial killer left for Elewure at Akinyele area but had to escape from the vicinity when he suspected that residents might disclose his whereabouts, as they were asking him if he had been released from detention.
On the same day, he reportedly entered the residence of a woman, identified as Mrs Funmilayo Oladeji, at the same area through the ceiling, and inflicted her with machete cuts at about 2:30 p.m.
Though the victim was taken to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, she reportedly died before she could be attended to.
Shodipe was said to be fond of entering houses near bushes to find a cover to have easy access to his victims.
The victim’s death had raised concerns and fear, leading to protests by Akinyele residents and others.
This made the Oyo State Police Command to declare him wanted, with N500,000 promised as reward on any information that would lead to the accused serial killer’s arrest.
A number of people were said to have started calling, until a man (names withheld) called the Commander of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), CSP Sola Aremu, that he, with the collaborative efforts of others, had been able to detect the whereabouts of the serial killer at Bodija market.
Shodipe was said to have been working as a load-carrier and sleeping at the market since August 13, before he was noticed and apprehended by the man and others on Sunday.
This led to his arrest by SARS Commander and operatives who took over the case.
When asked how he escaped from police custody, a police source told the Reporters At Large that it was alleged connivance with another accused, Mr Yinusa Adedokun, said to be the herbalist that Shodipe was working with.
The source said that a Divisional Crime Officer, who was acting as a Divisional Police Officer, instructed an Inspector to lead the detainees for them to take their bath.
“Shodipe said they were eight detainees who were to go to the bathroom in two’s.
“He said he had earlier been told by Adedokun that he should be in the last batch of those to take their bath, and should find a way to escape, as a lawyer had been given N200,000 for his (Adedokun) bail.
“The serial killer said that the Inspector who led him to the bathroom warned him against trying to escape but allegedly got engrossed in discussion with someone when he decided to run away because it was already night time.
“Shodipe said he mounted a borehole that was being constructed and ran out naked. He went to an auto technicians’ workshop where he got some clothing he wore.
“He then approached a Hausa bike rider whom he spoke to in Hausa language, telling him that he just came from the North and needed to go to where other Northerners were.
“That was why the bike rider took him to Bodija where he slept,” the police further said.
All hands must be on deck to bring the case to a positive and successful closure… IGP Adamu
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who commended the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu and his team for a job well done on the re-arrest of Sunday Shodipe, warned against complacency among police operatives In Oyo State.
In a statement issued and signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, the IGP also expressed his sincere appreciation to the citizens for their support and understanding while the manhunt for the rearrested Shodipe lasted.
The IGP stressed that “all hands must be on deck to bring the case to a positive and successful closure.”
Oyo Police Command’s Reaction
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP. Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu, psc, who confirmed the rearrest of the prime suspect in the serial killings at Akinyele Local Government Area, Moniya Ibadan, Sunday Shodipe, 19-years-old said the accused killer is presently in police custody.
Enwonmu in a release, signed by Oyo Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Fadeyi Olugbenga, confirmed that the arrest of Sunday Shodipe was made possible through human intelligence and collaborative efforts of members of the public.
Reporters At Large recalls that the Commissioner of Police implored the general public to be on his lookout, arrest and immediately inform the officers and men of the Command when sighted for immediate handing over for further action.
“Sequel to this, Police Tactical teams including Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS), personnel from State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku Ibadan, (CID), Swift Response Squad (SRS), State Intelligence Bureau (SIB), Anti-kidnapping Squad (AKS), Skynet Squad, Puff Adder, e.t.c. were all deployed for his manhunt. Through concerted efforts from these teams and credible information from the good-spirited members of the public, this eventually yielded result and the culprit who has been hiding and evading Police arrest was arrested at Bodija Area of Ibadan,” Enwonwu said.
The Commissioner of Police then thanked the Inspector General of Police, the Government and people of Oyo State, the Traditional leaders, leaders of thought, political leaders, and the general public for their patience and understanding.
He reiterated the Command’s resolve to continue “to rejig our security architecture for maximum protection of lives and properties of the good people of Oyo State while he sternly warns criminal elements who want to hibernate in Oyo State to relocate as the Police in Oyo Police Command is battle-ready to crush any individual or groups who is bent on disturbing the relative peace and tranquillity being enjoyed by the good people of Oyo State.”
Enwonwu then urged all the citizens of Oyo State to go about their lawful businesses without any fear, threat or intimidation from any group or individuals whatsoever, assuring that the Oyo Police Command will not relent in the performance of its professional constitutional responsibilities of the protection of lives and properties of the good people of Oyo State.
