Police Operatives have in a statement on April 16 announced the arrest of the killers of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the leader of the PAN-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti.
It would be recalled that MDB reported that Mrs Funke Olakunrin was murdered by unknown persons between Kajola and Ore along Ondo-Ore road in Ondo State on 12th July, 2019.
According to police statement, the suspects are Lawal Mazaje,40, from Felele area of Kogi State, Adamu Adamu, 50, from Jada area of Adamawa State.
Others are Shehu Usman, 26, from Illela area of Sokoto State and Auwal Abubakar, 25yrs, from Shinkafi area of Zamfara State.
The IGP after the murder of Olakunrin deployed the CP of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), CP Fimihan Adeoye, as well other investigators to carry out massive manhunt for the killers with the aim of arresting and bringing them to justice.
However, after months of relentless efforts to apprehend the killers, the Police Team, on 4th March, 2020 during a follow-up action on a case of a high-profile armed robbery and kidnap for ransom that occurred in Ogun State, arrested one Auwal Abubakar, an accessory to the crime.
The arrest of Auwal Abubakar led to the arrest of two other members of the gang, Mohammed Shehu Usman and Lawal Mazaje in Benin, Edo State from whom cache of ammunition was recovered and one other Adamu Adamu in Akure, Ondo State.
Having established sufficient physical and forensic evidence linking the suspects to the killing of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, investigation resumed which led to the physical identification of three suspects, Adamu Adamu, Lawal Mazaje and Mohammed Shehu Usman by a survivor of the earlier crime.
In the statement, the investigations so far has revealed that the operation that led to the killing was carried out by eight fully armed kidnap/robbery suspects led by one Tambaya who is currently at large.
While four of the suspects are in custody, police say effort is being intensified to arrest the four others still on the run.
According to police report, the 8-man gang has their operational base and membership spread in the south-western part of the country and Edo State.
Consequently, the Inspector General of Police has therefore declared the principal suspect, Tambaya wanted for his involvement in the death of Funke Olakunrin.
Meanwhile, the IGP has appreciated Nigerians for the support to the Police throughout the period of the investigations into the unfortunate incident.
He assured that the suspects will be diligently prosecuted on completion of investigations and that the Force will not relent until every member of the gang, still at large, is arrested and brought to book.
