Kwara State Police Command has made a breakthrough in the murder case of 34-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Rafiu Akano, whose headless body was discovered on Monday in Asunlere Village, Oke-Oyi, Ilorin East Local Government Area. Police detectives have now recovered his severed head and arrested three suspects—Peter Samuel, Jeremiah Tiozinda, and Sunday Agbenke—believed to be responsible for the crime.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, the suspects confessed to the murder.
“The Kwara State Police Command wishes to inform the public of an important breakthrough. Police investigators at the SCID Ilorin have recovered the dismembered part of the remains of the late Rafiu Akano, who was brutally murdered on November 4, 2024, by Peter Samuel, Jeremiah Tiozinda, and Sunday Agbenke,” Toun stated.
Details of the Murder
The suspects lured Rafiu, who had recently purchased a new motorcycle, to an undisclosed location. According to their confessions, Sunday Agbenke provided the victim’s phone number, enabling Peter Samuel to contact him under the pretense of hiring his services. During the journey, Samuel asked to stop and relieve himself. At this moment, Jeremiah Tiozinda struck Rafiu on the head with a stick, causing him to fall from his motorcycle.
The attackers continued their assault.
“Peter Samuel then used a cutlass to sever the victim’s head, which was thrown into a stream by Jeremiah Tiozinda,” DSP Toun recounted.
After killing Rafiu, the suspects fled with his motorcycle, hoping to sell it for money.
Community Intervention and Arrests
The commotion from the attack drew the attention of a nearby vigilante patrol, who chased the suspects. Forced to abandon the stolen motorcycle, the trio fled into the bush. However, the police quickly tracked them down, aided by Peter Samuel’s mobile phone, which he had accidentally dropped at the crime scene.
In an interview, Peter Samuel admitted to the murder.
“We killed him to take possession of his motorcycle because we needed money to transport my wife’s corpse home for burial,” he revealed.
He added that he was originally from Benue State and collaborated with the other suspects in the deadly scheme.
Police Commitment and Community Response
The Commissioner of Police for Kwara State, Mr. Victor Olaiya, condemned the crime and reassured the public that justice would be served.
“The suspects will be arraigned as soon as the investigation is completed. We are committed to safeguarding lives and property in the state,” Olaiya said.
He further announced a new restriction on motorcycle and tricycle movements between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily, warning that violators would be prosecuted.
Residents have expressed shock and outrage over the gruesome murder. One local resident said, “It’s horrifying to think that someone could commit such a heinous act. We hope the police continue to crack down on such crimes to ensure our safety.”