The Ghana Police Service has arrested Victor Benjamin Fajemirokun, a 36-year-old Nigerian man wanted in connection with the killing of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), officer and her daughter in Ogun State.
Arrest and Police Statement
George Ohene-Boadi, regional commander of the Eastern South Regional Police Command, revealed at a press conference that Fajemirokun fled to Ghana to evade arrest by Nigerian authorities. He was apprehended after Ghanaian police intercepted a video alleging that Fajemirokun had abducted and killed Lasisi Funmilayo, an FRSC official, and her daughter Sewa, in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
“The suspect was wanted by the Nigerian police, but he ran to Ghana to hide with his friends,” Ohene-Boadi stated.
“The Eastern South Regional Police Command, on receipt of the information that the suspect was hiding in his friend’s house at Akwatia, quickly deployed an intelligence-led operation to arrest the suspect in his hideout in the Eastern Region. The suspect is currently in police custody as frantic efforts are underway to hand him over to the Nigerian authorities.”
Timeline of Events
Funmilayo and her daughter were reported to have traveled with Fajemirokun to Osun State on November 2. It was allege by force authorities that the victims were killed by a group that included a self-acclaimed herbalist, who was traced through communication records linked to Fajemirokun.
Subsequently, undercover operations in Osun and Ekiti States led to the arrest of two additional suspects. Police sources indicate that these individuals provided crucial information that enabled the recovery of the victims’ remains from a bushy area, suggesting a premeditated and potentially ritualistic crime.
Cross-Border Cooperation
The Ghanaian police emphasized that they are cooperating fully with Nigerian authorities to ensure justice is served. The arrest underscores the importance of regional collaboration and intelligence-sharing in tackling transnational crime.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Investigations into the sequence of events are ongoing on Nigeria soil. Meanwhile, Ghanaian authorities are coordinating the extradition process so Fajemirokun can face trial in Nigeria. If convicted, he and any accomplices may face charges including kidnapping, murder, and conspiracy.
Public Reactions and Implications
The brutal killing of an FRSC officer and her daughter has sparked widespread outrage in Nigeria, especially after the video of their abduction circulated online. Authorities in both countries have highlighted the case as a testament to the effectiveness of cross-border law enforcement and urged the public to remain vigilant in reporting suspicious activity.
“The arrest demonstrates that fugitives cannot easily evade justice by crossing borders,” a police source noted. “Regional cooperation is critical to ensuring accountability and deterring transnational crime.”