Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected cult member who allegedly travelled from Anambra State to carry out a revenge killing over his brother’s death.
A pistol and a cartridge were recovered from the suspect, identified as Kingsley Odoh, during a highway patrol operation.
The suspect was intercepted by operatives of the command’s Safer Highway Patrol during a stop-and-search operation along Ife Road while travelling in a commercial bus.
Police spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed the arrest in a video showing the suspect being questioned.
He said the suspect’s responses during interrogation indicated that he had travelled to Oyo State to find a person he believed was responsible for his brother’s death.
Police said the recovery of the firearm and ammunition prompted further investigation into the suspect’s intentions, associations and the circumstances surrounding his brother’s death.
Suspect recounts brother’s death
During questioning, the suspect said he was working in Benue State when he received information that his brother had died at a school in Oka, Anambra State, allegedly after being killed by another person.
“I was working in Benue State. My brother was in school in Oka. I had information that he just died in the school. That somebody killed him in the school,” he said.
He explained that he returned after receiving the news but suffered another family loss a few weeks later when his mother also died.
“A few weeks after my brother died, my mother also died,” he added.
The suspect said he subsequently received information that the person he believed was responsible for his brother’s death was living in Oyo State.
He said the information prompted him to travel to the state to locate the individual.
“Last month, I had information that the boy is living in a state, Yoruba State. I said I will find out that place where he is living,” he said.
During the interrogation, the suspect confirmed that he was heading to Oyo State when police operatives intercepted the commercial vehicle.
Suspect says he bought pistol for ₦20,000
When asked about the source of the recovered firearm, the suspect claimed he bought it from a friend for ₦20,000.
“I bought it from my friend. I don’t know, maybe he’s a hunter,” he said.
The suspect also admitted belonging to the Vikings confraternity when questioned about his alleged involvement in cult activities.
“Yes, the Vikings,” he answered.
However, he could not confirm whether his deceased brother belonged to a cult group, explaining that they attended different schools and that he was not with his brother when the incident occurred.
“Maybe he belongs, maybe he does not belong because I was not there with him. I was not in the same school with him,” he said.
