The Nigeria Police Force in Osun State has apprehended Bode Owoeye, a 32-year-old notorious cultist and alleged serial killer known as Bode Itaapa, for conspiracy, armed robbery, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, and murder.
The suspect claimed his group operated as political thugs for Honourable Sanya Omirin, who allegedly issued orders through another wanted cultist, Adefioye Solomon. Owoeye was arrested along with Mukaila Lateef, 45, and David Samuel, 26.
Parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Osogbo on Friday, Yemisi Opalola, spokesperson for the Osun Police Command, revealed that Owoeye’s arrest in Ilesa followed credible intelligence. Opalola explained that reports of missing children were initially made at Iperindo Police Station and later transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad for further investigation.
Opalola stated, “Credible intelligence indicated that members of the Aye confraternity were seen with dangerous weapons on that day, leading detectives to search the cultists’ hideouts. They found a locally made pistol and a black mask, which were registered as exhibits.” She added, “Detectives on a rescue mission subsequently apprehended Bode Owoeye, also known as Bode Itaapa, a wanted member of the Aye confraternity in Osun State.”
During interrogation, Owoeye confessed that his confraternity was responsible for abducting and killing the victims in the bush. He admitted that his group worked as political thugs for Honourable Sanya Omirin, who directed them through Adefioye Solomon, also known as Solo Iwara, responsible for numerous killings in the Ilesha area. Owoeye further confessed that they attacked Honourable Ayodeji Olaolu, the APC candidate, during the 2023 House of Representatives election, shooting him in the head and chest. He revealed that the confraternity had over 30 pump-action rifles, mostly acquired before the 2023 election.
Additionally, detectives arrested Samuel David, another member of the Aye confraternity, implicated in the killing of Ibrahim Taiwo, also known as Omo-Alhaja. Investigations revealed that David’s five accomplices, under Kehinde Itaapa, attacked a PDP rally on February 21, 2023, resulting in Taiwo’s death. One of the complainants, the mother of the late Taiwo Adebiyi (Omo-Alhaja), accused Shittu Lekan (Araba) of killing her son. Samuel David led detectives to Oke-Eta village, where they recovered a pump-action gun given to him by Bode Owoeye for the crime.
Owoeye admitted purchasing the gun from Mukaila Lateef, his arms dealer, who had illegally sold him several guns. Efforts to arrest other fleeing members are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation, Opalola added.
Recovered dangerous weapons include a locally made pistol with three live cartridges, a single-barrel gun, a pump-action gun, an unregistered motorcycle, a highlander jeep, a black face mask, criminal charms, and two cross bags. The police spokesperson assured that efforts continue to arrest the remaining suspects, and they will face charges once the investigation concludes.