Kogiflame
….as church calls for thorough investigations into the death of the deceased
The police in Niger state said it has arrested a teenager, Joy Afekafe, as the prime suspect in the gruesome murder of a lecturer of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Dr. Funmilola Adefolalu
Late Funmilola, who is also a Pastor with, Voice of Mercy Ministry was discovered inside her residence in the Gbaiko area of Minna at about 10 am on Sunday in a pool of blood with her throat slit, and two knives stained with blood by her lifeless body.
A statement signed by, DSP Wasiu A. Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), for the Commissioner of Police Niger State Command, said Joy is being interrogated by the police as the prime suspect for the culpable homicide of the FUT lecturer.
Police operatives attached to Bosso Division visited the scene and two knives with blood stains suspected to have been used to stab her by unknown person(s) were recovered from the scene and the body was taken to IBB Hospital, Minna where she was confirmed dead.
After a series of interviews with the neighbors and friends of the family, the investigation led to the arrest of the deceased’s housemaid Joy Afekafe ‘f’ aged 14 years of the same Gbeganu area on the 30th of October, 2023 and she confessed to have served the deceased as house help for some months.
During interrogations, the suspect confessed that she served as the deceased’s housemaid for about three weeks, and was laid off due to her misdeed which the deceased could no longer condone.
After she was laid off, Joy met two of her classmates, Walex and Smart, and narrated her ordeal to them and the trio conspired and attacked the lecturer at her residence on the ill-fated Sunday morning leading to her death.
Joy, according to the statement narrated how they went to her former abode on 28/10/2023 at about 6 pm with a motorcycle and the late lecturer surfaced at the gate, while she opened the gate for her to enter, Walex and Smart later joined in, descended on her and hit her head with a stood and stabbed her severally with a knife brought by Walex while Smart took another knife from the kitchen to execute their evil act.
They later made away with the deceased phones, and laptop and also removed the battery of her car that was parked inside the compound and fled the scene.
The suspect will be transferred to State CID for further investigation and diligent prosecution, while efforts are ongoing to arrest her other fleeing partners in crime, Walex and Smart.
Meanwhile, the Voice of Mercy Ministry, Minna is demanding justice over the murder of the late Funmilola, whom they say is one of their pastors.
A press statement signed by, Pastor Bolaji Olanipekun,The Head of the Media and Communications unit of the church said the church has been thrown into mourning for the late Dr. Mrs. Funmilola who was murdered in cold blood.
While commending efforts so far made by the law enforcement agencies in the investigations, the church according to the statement wishes to express their gratitude for their diligent work in apprehending one of the principal suspects.
“We appreciate the security agencies for their efforts to arrest one of the principal suspects. It is our hope that this arrest will lead to the arrest of other collaborators involved in the wicked act with a view to uncovering the truth about what transpired and bring all those responsible to face the full wrath of the law”.
According to the statement, “The loss of Pastor, Dr. Mrs. Fumilola Adefolalu has left an indelible void within our church as her unwavering faith, compassion, and dedication to serving others will always be remembered”.
