Akinyele Killings: Investigate Shodipe’s Escape – Oyo Assembly Tells Police IG

By Abiodun Ogunrinde, Ibadan

The Oyo state House of Assembly has called on the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to put the Commissioner of Police in the state, Joe Enwonwu, on his toes and ensure thorough investigation into the circumstances
surrounding the suspicious escape of the prime suspect in the Akinyele killings, Mr Sunday Shodipe.

Speaking on behalf of the Assembly on Monday in Ibadan, the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon Olawunmi Bimbo Oladeji said the police should place a bounty on the head of Sunday Shodipe to ensure quick re-arrest of the suspect.

Oladeji, who is the only female lawmaker in the 9th Oyo Assembly also called on the executive arm of government to expedite action on the take off of Operation Amotekun in the state.

She said Operation Amotekun will complement the efforts of the police and other security agencies in fighting crime.

She said: “It is with a heavy heart and a feel of concern as a female lawmaker, a fellow human being and most importantly, as a mother that I call this press conference.

“You will recall that exactly a month ago, (Friday 17th of July, 2020) Oyo State Police Command paraded one 19-year old Sunday Shodipe in connection with serial killings in Akinyele Local
Government Area of the state, who confessed to have singlehandedly killed all his five victims.

“However, on Sunday 16th of August, 2020, the general public in Oyo State was surprised by the state Police Command through its press release
which informed the general public that the suspected serial killer had escaped from police custody.

“I hereby call on the Inspector-General of Police, MOHAMMED ADAMU to put Oyo State Commissioner of Police, JOE ENWONWU on his toes and ensure thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspicious escape. It is inversion of logic that a 19-year old suspect escaped from the most secured place in the state, hence the call for thorough investigation.

“As a mother, I feel it would be fair to do everything within my power to support families of the victims to get justice for their dead beloved ones who became victims of the dastard acts of the serial killer, Sunday Shodipe. Oyo State
Commissioner of Police must ensure that the general public is fully briefed on the outcome of the investigation and parade anybody that helped the suspect escape.

“Placing a bounty on the head of Sunday Shodipe by Oyo State Police Command will go a long way in assuring quick and successful rearrest of the suspect.”

Oladeji, who represents Ogbomoso North state constituency urged the police to do more than media campaign to bring the cculprit to book.

She also urged the public to calm down and allow the police to do their work.

“To discourage people from taking laws into their hands, carrying out jungle justice and most especially, for police to redeem its image, Oyo State Command must do more than mere media campaign to bring the culprit to book.

“It is believed that police should understand that allowing a serial killer roam freely in the society is very dangerous and no family is safe.

“I also use this opportunity to call on the executive arm of government in Oyo State to expedite action on the take off of Operation Amotekun to complement police efforts and other security agencies.

“Finally, I call on the general public to calm down and allow police to do their work while helping them with necessary information and intelligence that can help in arresting the loose suspected serial killer.” she added.

Also speaking, the chairman, House Committee on Security, Hon Akeem Obadara charged security agencies to sit up and wake up from slumber and ensure the rearrest of Shodipe.

He urged the Oyo state government to expedite action on Operation Amotekun.