Disappearance of NNPC staff: police unmask suspected killers, recovers deceased's remains

Here's a press statement signed by CSP Frank Mba, Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police Force

Following a painstaking and diligent investigation, detectives from the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) of the Nigeria Police Force have successfully solved the riddle surrounding the sudden and hitherto unexplained disappearance of Mr. Sylvester Emefiele, (pictured left) staff of the Transformation Office of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Mr. Emefiele was reported to have left Lagos on 23^rd September, 2012, sequel to a call from his office asking him to report to Abuja on 24^th September, 2012 in order to process his Visa to Hungary for a Training programme.

Timothy Lekan pictured right was one of the two people arrested for Sylvester's murder. Continue...

On receiving this complaint through the Police email platform – policemonitor@npf.gov.ng, the Inspector-General of Police promptly ordered a discreet and comprehensive investigation into the case. Subsequently, detectives from the FSARS led by DCP Chris Ezike swung into action, and through systematic and high-level investigative technique, tracked down one Olaniyi Banjo, a 20-year old resident of Ilesa, Osun State, who bought the Blackberry phone of the deceased from one of the principal suspects, Akindele Taiwo. The sustained surveillance and investigative efforts of the police led to the arrest of the masterminds of the crime on 8^th June, 2013, namely: a 30-year old Timothy Abidemi Lekan ‘m’ alias Leksit, who hails from Osun State, and a 41-year old Akinlade Taiwo ‘m’, a native of Modakeke in Ife East Local Government Area of Osun State.

The duo made very useful statements to the police in connection with the disappearance, robbery and killing of Mr. Sylvester Emefiele. The suspects equally led detectives to the scene of crime - a bush close to the Iddo Campus of the University of Abuja - where the abandoned and totally decomposed remains of the deceased, now mere skeletal parts, were recovered. A detailed forensic examination including DNA analysis has confirmed that the recovered remains were actually those of Mr. Sylvester Emefiele. Other personal effects of the deceased, including cash, ATM cards, Laptop, Blackberry phones, cheque books, personal apparels, etc were also recovered.

Also arrested in connection with the case was a witch-doctor, Saidi Babatunde from Osun State who was implicated by the suspects for preparing criminal charms for them. 

Police investigation shows that the late Sylvester Emefiele, while en route from Lagos to Abuja, dropped at Giri in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT at about 8pm on 23^rd September, 2012, where he unsuspectingly boarded a Nissan Sunny Saloon Car with Reg. No: AG-956-KEF driven by Akinlade Taiwo who further picked his accomplice, Timothy Abidemi Lekan on the way during which they jointly subdued their victim and led him to the bush where he was robbed. The suspects confirmed that they had earlier forced the deceased to disclose the Personal Identification Number of all his ATM cards which enabled them to make an initial withdrawal of N186,000 from his Zenith Bank, First Bank and GT-Bank accounts at Gwagwalada. On seeing that their victim still had an outstanding balance of over Eight Hundred thousand naira (N800,000.00), the robbers chose to kill Mr. Sylvester Emefiele by binding his wrists with twine and hitting his chest with their Talisman and other dangerous weapons until they were sure that their victim’s life had fizzled out. Thereafter, they continued making illicit withdrawals from the victim’s accounts until they were apprehended by the Police.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police has commended the officers that investigated the case for their diligence, dedication and professionalism, assuring Nigerians that justice will take its course as the suspects have already been arraigned before a competent court of law. The IGP has further called on the general public to be wary of the kind of vehicles they enter to avoid falling victim to these hoodlums.  The IGP also promised increased visibility of the Police on our highways through intensive vehicular patrols especially at nights for the safety and security of road users.  

CSP FRANK E. MBA

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

FORCE HEADQUARTERS, Abuja