From John Adams, Minna
The Niger State Police Command said it has apprehended 14-year-old Joy Afekafe ‘of Gbeganu community in Minna, the state capital as a prime suspect over the gruesome murder of a lecturer with the Federal University of Technology, (FUT) Minna, Professor Mrs. Funmilola Adefolalu
The late Prof. Adefolalu was murdered at her residence in Gbaiko, a suburb of Minna, last Saturday night, by assassins. But, the state Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement in Minna, yesterday, said the police arrested 14-year-old Joy Afekafe, a former housemaid of the deceased. The suspected housemaid, according to Wasiu, served as her housemaid for three weeks, but they later parted ways before her assassination.
The police said after she was laid off, the suspect met her classmates called Walex and Smart, and narrated her ordeal with her late boss to them, and they conspired to attack the lecturer at her residence. The command further stated that “during interrogation, the suspect confessed that she served as the deceased’s housemaid for about three weeks, and she was laid off due to her misdeed in the house.
“She said they went to the residence on 28/10/2023, at about 1600hrs, with a motorcycle, and she surfaced at the gate, while the lecturer opened the gate for her. Walex and Smart later entered, beat the deceased, hit her head with a stud and stabbed her with a knife brought by Walex, while Smart took another knife from the kitchen and stabbed her severally”.
The suspect added that the deceased phone and laptop were taken away, while the battery of the vehicle parked in the compound was removed before they fled the scene.
Wasiu disclosed that on receiving the report, the Police Division swung into action and carried out a series of interviews with the neighbours and friends of the family, while investigation led to the arrest of the deceased’s housemaid.
He added that the suspect would be transferred to SCID for further investigation and diligent prosecution, while effort was ongoing to arrest the fleeing other suspects.
Meanwhile, the Voice of Mercy Ministry has demanded justice over the killing of the late lecturer, who was, till her death, a pastor in the ministry.
The church, in a statement, in Minna, yesterday, said it was deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic and senseless murder of “our beloved pastor, Dr Mrs Fumilola Adefolalu.”
In the statement by the Head, Media and Communication, Pastor Bolaji Olanipekun, the church said: “We commend the efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation, thus far, and we express our gratitude for their diligent work in apprehending one of the principal suspects.
“It is our hope that this arrest will lead to the arrest of other perpetrators in the wicked act and lead to further progress in uncovering the truth, and bringing all those responsible to justice.
“We call upon the security operatives and every law enforcement agency involved in this case to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice. We urge them to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, ensuring that all evidence is diligently examined and all leads are followed.
“As a church, we stand on the path for truth and justice, and declare that everyone involved in the murder of our pastor faces the full wrath of the law. We are seeking justice for her untimely and unjust demise. We trust that the law will ensure that those responsible for this horrific crime are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law”.
The statement added that the loss of Pastor Dr Mrs Fumilola Adefolalu has left an indelible void within the church, adding that “her unwavering faith, compassion, and dedication to serving others will always be remembered.”