The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has commended the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Joe Enwonwu, and his team for re-arresting the suspected Ibadan serial killer, Sunday Shodipe, after his escape from police custody.
Recall that Mr Shodipe, 19, allegedly linked to the murder of 18-year-old Barakat Bello, 29-year-old Azeezat Shomuyiwa, and three others in Akinyele LGA, was arrested, but escaped from police custody on August 11.
On Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Olugbenga Fadeyi, had confirmed Mr Shodipe’s re-arrest after N500,000 bounty had been placed on him.
Reacting to the re-arrest via the Nigerian police’s Twitter handle on Sunday, the IGP also expressed his appreciation to the Oyo citizens for their support and understanding while Mr Shodipe’s manhunt lasted.
Mr Adamu, therefore, warned against any form of complacency on the part of the operatives of the Command, stressing that all hands must be on deck to bring the case to a positive and successful closure.
Recall that the IGP had on Wednesday ordered the deployment of additional investigative aids to Oyo State to complement the efforts of the state Police Command in rearresting Mr Shodipe.
In a statement posted on its Twitter handle, the police said the additional deployment comprises crack detectives from the Intelligence Response Team, IRT, and the Special Tactical Squad, STS, of the Force Intelligence Bureau, Abuja.
“The team is expected to bring their vast operational, technical and investigative experience to bear in supporting ongoing efforts aimed at re-arresting and bringing the fugitive to book.
“The IGP who condemned the unfortunate escape from lawful custody of the suspect, has directed the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command to intensify efforts and ensure the prompt re-arrest of the fleeing suspect.
“The CP has also been directed to speedup investigations into the circumstances that led to the escape of the suspect. All persons indicted in the escape are to be identified and made to face the wrath of the law.
“The CP has equally been mandated to immediately assess and rejig the security architecture in the State so as to prevent any future occurrence of untoward incidents,” the statement noted.
