The Lagos State Police Command has refuted claims that a 28-year-old graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), Adedamola Ogunbode, was murdered for ritual purposes.
Reports had earlier suggested that Ogunbode, a 2024 graduate of Political Science Education, was killed after he went missing on January 16, 2025.
His girlfriend reportedly spoke to him that day, and he mentioned being in front of the CCC Ileri Oluwa Parish, LASU 2, with Evangelist Whepetoji Babaniyeh. However, he never called back and has not been seen since.
Following widespread speculation about his alleged murder, the Lagos State Police Command has clarified that Ogunbode is still considered a missing person.
Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed in a statement that three suspects, including a prophet, have been arrested, but there is no evidence of Ogunbode’s death.
“A report was made to the police that the said graduate was missing, and three suspects were arrested, including a prophet.
However, the police did not discover any mutilated body of the missing graduate as being circulated on social media.
He is still missing, and we are investigating a case of a missing person, not murder. There is no dead person anywhere,” Hundeyin stated.
Despite the police’s clarification, the university community has expressed deep concern. In a statement, LASU’s Deputy Registrar and Coordinator for Information and Public Relations, Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, called for justice, referencing reports that Ogunbode’s body was allegedly found buried in a church compound.
“The university management is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic situation involving Ogunbode.
The deceased, fondly known as Horlar, was allegedly killed by a prophet in the Ojo area of Lagos State, reportedly for ritual purposes. According to the report received by the management, Ogunbode had been missing since January 16,” the statement read.