AN 18-year-old girl, Habibat Akinsanya, who had been reported missing, was discovered dead on her father’s farm in Obasa, Mile 6, along Ajebo Road, in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
It was reported that the victim was discovered dead bearing multiple machete wounds to her head and other parts of her body, with her hands bound behind her back.
According to reliable police sources, the victim was sexually assaulted before being murdered, as it was gathered.
A police source, who wished to remain anonymous due to not having the authority to speak on behalf of the state command, informed our correspondent that the brutal murder could be linked to a revenge attack on the family.
The deceased’s father, Shamsuddeen, had previously reported his daughter missing to the Kemta Police Division on 31 August 2024.
Habibat allegedly left her father’s home on 30 August 2024, to help her sister, who runs a Point-of-Sale business in the Kemta area. It is said that while she was there, one Onyeka approached her.
The victim was allegedly informed by the said Onyeka, the main suspect in the murder who usually worked for the father, that her mother needed her assistance at the farm with the cassava harvest.
However, it was discovered that when the deceased’s sister was unable to locate her at the shop or home, the family began to suspect foul play. The father then called the Kemta Police Division to report the issue.
“The father informed the police that Habibat had left the house to assist at her sister’s Point of Sale shop on Mile 6, Ajebo Road. However, when the sister arrived at the shop, Akinsanya was not there and did not return home.
“This case does not involve kidnapping, as none of the typical elements are present. While the exact motive behind the murder remains unclear, it is suggested it may have been premeditated. The victim was not forcibly abducted but was lured by the perpetrator under the pretence that her mother needed her at the farm. Once there, the perpetrator restrained her, raped and then murdered her.
“The father reported receiving a phone call from someone demanding money. The number was tracked, and the police searched the last known location of the number in Oke Egunya, Totoro, for hours. This search yielded no results until a call was received indicating that the girl’s body had been discovered on her father’s farm.
SP Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the state police command, stated on Monday that a manhunt had been launched to find the fleeing suspect and that an investigation had commenced to ascertain the facts surrounding the murder.
“In cases of missing persons, the police typically ask the complainant to wait 24 to 48 hours before filing a report, as some individuals return home within that time frame. This is a standard procedure followed by law enforcement.
“A manhunt has been launched to aid in the apprehension of Onyeka, who is currently at large. Our officers have also initiated a discreet investigation into the matter.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media