The State Security Service, SSS at their Headquarters
in Abuja on Wednesday, paraded six persons suspected to be killers of Governor
Adams Oshiomhole’s Principal Secretary, Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde. The suspects were
in addition to those arrested by the police in connection with the killing.
They are Mohammed Ibrahim Abdullahi, Raymond Onajite
Origbo, Chikezie Edeh, a deportee from France, Saidu Yakubu, alias Imam, Sani
Abdullahi Abubakar and Hassan Bashiru.
The late Olaitan was said to have been murdered by the
trio of Mohammed Ibrahim Abdullahi, Raymond Onajite Origbo, Chikezie Edeh while
the other suspects were said to be habitual buyers of stolen items.
According to information from the SSS, investigations
revealed that the careless statements made by the late Oyerinde’s security
guard, Ali Ihade, at various times about his master’s position in Government
attracted the attention of the prime suspect, Mohammed Ibrahim Abdullahi, who
consequently hatched a robbery operation.
On the day of the robbery, Abdullahi specifically
instructed other gang members to tie up Oyerinde’s security guard before they
entered Oyerinde’s residence so that the security guard will not see his face.
The SSS also stated that information obtained from the
gang members indicate that the late former Principal Secretary was shot and
killed by the prime suspect, Abdullahi, when he attempted to go underneath his
bed. Abdullahi was said to have believed that the late Oyerinde was reaching for
a gun under the bed and therefore shot him.
Items recovered from the suspects which were allegedly
removed from Oyerinde’s residence after the incident were Four BlackBerry
phones, one Ipad, two Galaxy Pads, one Laptop, wedding ring and an unspecified
amount of money belonging to Mr. Adeyinka Oletubo, brother- in -law to Comrade
Oyerinde.
The prime suspect, Abdullahi, 46 years old security
guard who hails from Gombi Council in Adamawa state, had confessed being part
of the four man armed gang that robbed Oyerinde’s residence at Ugbor, Benin
city, on 4th May, 2012. He also, according to the SSS, confessed firing the
gunshot that killed Oyerinde.
Chikezie Edeh,30 years old and one of the suspects said
to have been deported from France in 2006, allegedly confessed to the crime and
confirmed that Abdullahi fired the shot that kiled Oyerinde. He also disclosed
that he received a mobile phone and an Apple ipad as his share from the
operation which he sold for N10,000.
Saidu Yakubu, also known as Imam, 42 years old indigene
of Dakingari village in Zuru council of Kebbi state, also allegedly confessed
to have introduced Chikezie to the prime suspect, Abdullahi, for participation
in armed robbery.
The murder weapons used during the robbery operation
have been recovered while the suspects will soon be handed over to the police
for criminal prosecution.