The Ogun State Police Command said that it had discovered the shallow graves of 71-year-old farmer Adekunle Ifelaja and Ogunyemi Femi, who were allegedly killed by suspected kidnappers in the Ijebu-Igbo area of Ogun State.

This follows the arrest of two members of a seven-person criminal gang, Chukwuma Bartholomew and Igwe Monday, who are believed to be responsible for the abductions and murders of the victims.

The state command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, informed our correspondent on Saturday that the arrest occurred just five days after the anti-kidnapping squad killed two suspected kidnappers in a gunfight and rescued several victims, including Indian nationals.

Regarding the exhumation of the deceased’s bodies, Odutola stated that the suspects, after confessing to the crime during interrogation, led the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, and the anti-kidnapping squad to the forest in Ijebu-Igbo.

She said, “They are responsible for kidnappings and abductions that have been recorded in the Ijebu-Igbo area. They kidnapped their victims, demanded ransom from their family members, and then killed them.

“They then took them to a forest in Ijebu-Igbo, where they dug a shallow grave and buried them. They were arrested by our anti-kidnapping squad after a thorough investigation, which led the team to the hideouts of the criminals on June 28, 2024, in Ijebu-Igbo.

“After their confession, the suspects took the CP and members of the anti-kidnapping units to the forest where they buried the victims to exhume the corpses.”

PUNCH