A 39-year-old fruit trader, Babalola Dolapo, has confessed to the gruesome murder of his childhood friend, Evangelist Opeyemi Oyelakin. Dolapo admitted to killing Oyelakin, stealing his motorcycle, and disposing of his body in a pit along Oke-Igbo Road in Oke-Igbo/Ile-Oluji Local Government Area of Ondo State of Nigeria.
After being apprehended by police detectives, Dolapo disclosed to reporters that he sold the stolen motorcycle for N130,000 following the murder. He admitted to carrying out the crime with an accomplice named Sikiru Mutiu, who is currently evading arrest.
Dolapo expressed remorse for his actions, attributing the heinous act to the influence of evil forces. He emphasized that although he had stolen bikes before, he had never resorted to violence. However, in a tragic turn of events, he ended up fatally injuring his close friend during the robbery attempt.
Detailing the sequence of events, Dolapo recounted how they struggled with Oyelakin during the bike theft, ultimately resorting to violence. He lamented the unforeseen outcome of their actions, especially considering his personal acquaintance with the victim’s family.
When pressed for a motive behind the murder, Dolapo claimed he was unable to provide a coherent explanation. He described himself as a trader specializing in oranges, operating without a formal shop and traveling to different villages for business. Dolapo, originally from Oyo State but residing in Ondo town, clarified that he had been involved in the fruit trade since 2021 and was unmarried at the time of the incident.
Addressing the aftermath of the crime, the state police commissioner, Abayomi Oladipo, expressed disappointment at the failure of farm owners in the vicinity to report the presence of the decomposing body despite the foul odor emanating from the pit. Police personnel, led by Oladipo, conducted the retrieval of the deceased’s remains from the bush.
