Osun Murder: Three Arrested as Police Recover Weapons, Link Suspect to Earlier Killings

The Osun State Police Command has arrested three suspects over the alleged murder of Seun Ajayi in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, recovering an axe, two double-edged knives and three mobile phones during the investigation.

The arrests followed the fatal attack on Ajayi at a barbing salon in the Oja-Ale area of Ikire on October 3, 2026. Police said the investigation also uncovered allegations of threats against residents of a neighbouring community and a possible link between the principal suspect and an earlier deadly incident.

The suspects were identified as Nurudeen Ademakinwa, 30, also known as Igboya Aye-nuru; Agboluaje Usman, 23; and Awoniran Toheeb, 20.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun State, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed the arrests in a statement, explaining that the incident occurred at about 6pm on the day of the killing.

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According to the police, Ajayi was having his hair cut with a friend when armed assailants allegedly stormed the salon and attacked them with dangerous weapons. Ajayi was reportedly macheted to death, while his companion escaped and reported the incident at the Ikire Divisional Police Headquarters at about 7:30pm.

Following the report, police launched an investigation that led to the arrest of Ademakinwa and the two other suspects during an intelligence-led operation on October 5.

Items recovered during the operation included one axe, two double-edged knives and three Android mobile phones. The police have not publicly detailed the forensic findings, if any, connecting each recovered item to the killing.

The command further alleged that Ademakinwa had sent threatening voice messages to some residents of Wasimi community, warning them to leave the area or face unspecified consequences.

Police also linked the principal suspect to an incident on August 24, 2026, involving officers attached to the Ikire Divisional Police Headquarters. According to the command, two passers-by were killed during an attack on the police operatives.

The alleged connection to the earlier incident forms part of the wider investigation. However, the claims have yet to be established in court, and the suspects remain entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Ojelabi said investigations were continuing and that the three suspects would be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction after the conclusion of the process.

The police have not announced any court judgment against the suspects. Further investigation is expected to establish the individual roles allegedly played by the three men, examine the recovered exhibits and determine whether sufficient evidence exists to prosecute them.