Lagos State Police Command is
currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the kidnap and murder of
a 20-year-old undergraduate, identified as John Chinedu Okere, who until his
death was a 300 level Electrical Engineering student at Covenant University,
Otta in Ogun State.
currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the kidnap and murder of
a 20-year-old undergraduate, identified as John Chinedu Okere, who until his
death was a 300 level Electrical Engineering student at Covenant University,
Otta in Ogun State.
According to Vanguard, Chinedu left
his parent’s house in the morning of Wednesday, August 6, 2014, to a Hospital
in Yaba, Lagos for medical reasons and never returned. He reportedly left home
with about N6000 and that was the last time he was seen alive.
his parent’s house in the morning of Wednesday, August 6, 2014, to a Hospital
in Yaba, Lagos for medical reasons and never returned. He reportedly left home
with about N6000 and that was the last time he was seen alive.
The mysterious disappearance of
Chinedu, caused a stir as the parents ran helter-skelter, in search of him to
no avail. They gathered from some family members that one of his
friends called on phone earlier that morning to tell him to meet him at an
undisclosed hotel.
Chinedu, caused a stir as the parents ran helter-skelter, in search of him to
no avail. They gathered from some family members that one of his
friends called on phone earlier that morning to tell him to meet him at an
undisclosed hotel.
KIDNAP
It was learnt that at about mid-day, the victim’s father,
Jude Okere, received an SMS notifying him that Chinedu had been kidnapped.
Later, he received a phone call from a hidden number demanding N10 million
ransom for the release of his son. The caller allegedly threatened to kill the
victim if the parents refused to comply as the line went dead.
Jude Okere, received an SMS notifying him that Chinedu had been kidnapped.
Later, he received a phone call from a hidden number demanding N10 million
ransom for the release of his son. The caller allegedly threatened to kill the
victim if the parents refused to comply as the line went dead.
FATHER’S TESTIMONY
Chinedu’s father said: “ At
about mid-day, I received an SMS that John had been kidnapped. Later, I
received a phone call from a hidden number. The caller said they had my son, Chinedu
and demanded N10 million as ransom threatening to kill him if we refuse to
comply. Immediately, I inquired who the caller was, the line went dead. My wife
and I quickly reported the case to the Divisional Police Station at Sabo,
Yaba.”
about mid-day, I received an SMS that John had been kidnapped. Later, I
received a phone call from a hidden number. The caller said they had my son, Chinedu
and demanded N10 million as ransom threatening to kill him if we refuse to
comply. Immediately, I inquired who the caller was, the line went dead. My wife
and I quickly reported the case to the Divisional Police Station at Sabo,
Yaba.”
After the case was reported to the
Police at Sabo, Yaba, it was later transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery
Squad, SARS, Ikeja the next day where investigations commenced.
Police at Sabo, Yaba, it was later transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery
Squad, SARS, Ikeja the next day where investigations commenced.
DEAD BODY IN A HOTEL ROOM
It was learnt that initially when
the whole issue started, the family of the victim felt it was a kidnap that
would just be resolved but unfortunately, as events continued to unfold, it
turned out to be a premeditated murder. Shockingly, the decomposing corpse of
Chinedu was discovered in one of the rooms at ‘DE Homes Hotel’ located in
Ejigbo by one of their staff, two days later.
the whole issue started, the family of the victim felt it was a kidnap that
would just be resolved but unfortunately, as events continued to unfold, it
turned out to be a premeditated murder. Shockingly, the decomposing corpse of
Chinedu was discovered in one of the rooms at ‘DE Homes Hotel’ located in
Ejigbo by one of their staff, two days later.
According to reports, the Manager of
the hotel went to Ejigbo Divisional Police Station on Friday, 8, 2014, to
report the case of murder and investigation began.
the hotel went to Ejigbo Divisional Police Station on Friday, 8, 2014, to
report the case of murder and investigation began.
HOW SUSPECTS CHECKED INTO HOTEL
A reliable source in the hotel
intimated that early on Wednesday morning, the prime suspect, Okorocha Michael
along with another young man simply identified as Okey,checked into the hotel
with the name Christian. “He booked the room for three days with the name
Christian. He claimed he is a youth corps member who wanted to write exams and
would be there from that Wednesday to Friday. He also said he was expecting his
cousin to join him in the hotel.
intimated that early on Wednesday morning, the prime suspect, Okorocha Michael
along with another young man simply identified as Okey,checked into the hotel
with the name Christian. “He booked the room for three days with the name
Christian. He claimed he is a youth corps member who wanted to write exams and
would be there from that Wednesday to Friday. He also said he was expecting his
cousin to join him in the hotel.
‘After booking, Michael left his
friend Okey in the hotel and returned an hour before the victim, Chinedu
arrived the hotel, which was at about 3pm that day. As soon as Chinedu arrived
the hotel, Michael took him to the room. We don’t know what happened inside the
room. However, it was later gathered that during their stay in the room, the
suspect reportedly confronted the victim on some personal issues. The
confrontation eventually led to a heated argument, which later led to the
suspect strangulating the victim to death. On Friday, a hotel staff
discovered the lifeless body of the young man and alerted the police.”
friend Okey in the hotel and returned an hour before the victim, Chinedu
arrived the hotel, which was at about 3pm that day. As soon as Chinedu arrived
the hotel, Michael took him to the room. We don’t know what happened inside the
room. However, it was later gathered that during their stay in the room, the
suspect reportedly confronted the victim on some personal issues. The
confrontation eventually led to a heated argument, which later led to the
suspect strangulating the victim to death. On Friday, a hotel staff
discovered the lifeless body of the young man and alerted the police.”
ABANDONED IN A POOL OF BLOOD
According to reports, Chinedu was
murdered and left in the pool of his blood by unfriendly friends, who brutally
killed and abandoned his corpse, went ahead and demanded for ransom from his
parents.
murdered and left in the pool of his blood by unfriendly friends, who brutally
killed and abandoned his corpse, went ahead and demanded for ransom from his
parents.
ARREST OF SUSEPCTS
It was learnt the 24-year-old suspect, Okorocha Michael, who was
arrested on Sunday, in a friend’s house around Ajah area in Lagos, is a
graduate of Lagos City Polytechnic, Ikeja. He has been unemployed since he
completed his youth service in February this year.
arrested on Sunday, in a friend’s house around Ajah area in Lagos, is a
graduate of Lagos City Polytechnic, Ikeja. He has been unemployed since he
completed his youth service in February this year.
APPEAL FOR JUSTICE
A family member who spoke on the
condition of anonymity revealed that the Okere’s were willing to pay the
ransom, and were still trying to get it when his corpse was discovered. ‘We
sincerely pray that law takes it full course, his killers brought to book and
Chinedu will get the justice he deserves even in death,’ the source stated.
condition of anonymity revealed that the Okere’s were willing to pay the
ransom, and were still trying to get it when his corpse was discovered. ‘We
sincerely pray that law takes it full course, his killers brought to book and
Chinedu will get the justice he deserves even in death,’ the source stated.