A weekend that ended in tragedy

What should have been an ordinary weekend at her Abeokuta residence ended in a tragedy that left family members, neighbours and residents of Ogun State struggling to understand how a woman described as kind and accommodating met such a brutal end.

For former Ogun State Television, OGTV, employee, Olakitan Oyesiku, and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo, June 20, 2026, became their last day alive.

Days later, police arrested three suspects in connection with the double murder. But it was the alleged confession of the principal suspect that sent shockwaves through the community.

According to the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, the 22-year-old suspect, Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip, told investigators that the killing of Madam Oyesiku was intended to teach her a lesson.

A disturbing discovery at the residence

The horror began to unfold on June 21 when police officers attached to Owode-Egba Police Station received a report about suspicious circumstances at Oyesiku's residence.

The front door had been partially damaged, while the security house within the compound was locked. Sensing that something was wrong, detectives forced their way in.

Inside the security house lay the lifeless body of Pelumi Adetayo. A more heartbreaking scene awaited them in the main building, where Madam Oyesiku was found lying in a pool of blood.

For neighbours and loved ones, the discovery was devastating. A woman who had spent years building a career in broadcasting and contributing to society was gone, along with the security guard whose duty was to protect her.

Former employee emerges in police investigation

Police investigations later revealed what authorities described as a painful twist. According to the Commissioner of Police, the principal suspect had previously worked as a security guard for Madam Oyesiku.

Investigators say he harboured grievances from the period of his employment and allegedly decided to settle scores in a violent attack. Police said he recruited two others, Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola, 27, and Sobu Obafunsho, 36, to carry out the assault.

The suspects allegedly overpowered Adetayo and used him to gain access into the residence before launching the fatal assault on Madam Oyesiku.

— Bode Ojajuni, Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Police Command

Police said the security guard was later killed. For many residents, the allegation has raised troubling questions about trust, familiarity and vulnerability within homes.

Forensic clues and arrests

As detectives combed through the crime scene, they discovered that Madam Oyesiku's Lexus RX 330 SUV was missing. The vehicle's disappearance initially suggested a robbery, but investigators said a handwritten note allegedly left at the scene became a critical lead.

The note was subjected to forensic examination and analysis, which police said helped move the investigation forward.

What appeared to be a simple piece of paper eventually generated valuable investigative leads that significantly aided detectives in identifying and tracing those responsible for the crime.

— Bode Ojajuni, Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Police Command

The stolen Lexus was recovered the following day through intelligence-led operations. Although the suspects allegedly removed the ignition key and registration plates in an effort to conceal the vehicle's identity, detectives recovered one of the number plates hidden beneath a seat.

On June 24, police arrested the principal suspect at a construction site in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, where he was reportedly working as a labourer. Further operations led to the arrest of the two other suspects. Police also recovered several exhibits believed to be connected to the crime, including a broken hammer, a cutlass, a plank and other items.

Grief, outrage and the wait for justice

The killings have triggered grief and outrage across Ogun State. Residents who knew Madam Oyesiku remember her as a woman whose life was cut short in circumstances that continue to shock many.

For the family of Pelumi Adetayo, the tragedy is equally painful. A security guard who went to work expecting to return home instead became another victim of what investigators describe as a carefully planned crime.

As news of the arrests spread, many residents expressed relief that suspects had been apprehended, but insist that true closure can only come through justice.

While announcing the breakthrough, Commissioner Ojajuni stressed that the suspects remain entitled to due process.

The Ogun State Police Command wishes to emphasize that while the suspects have made useful statements and substantial evidence has been recovered in the course of the investigation, all suspects remain entitled to due process under the law.

— Bode Ojajuni, Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Police Command

He said investigators were continuing to consolidate evidence to ensure diligent prosecution.

The Command remains committed to ensuring that justice is served and that all persons connected with this heinous crime are brought to book.

— Bode Ojajuni, Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Police Command

For now, the house where two lives were violently cut short stands as a painful reminder of a tragedy that has shaken an entire community. For those who knew Olakitan Oyesiku and Pelumi Adetayo, the questions around trust, betrayal and loss remain unresolved as the case moves toward prosecution.