The shocking murder of 19-year-old Damilola Olowoyo, a first-year student at the Federal University Lokoja in Kogi State, has taken a disturbing turn as the primary suspect, Jeremiah Paul, confessed to luring the victim for money-making rituals. Jeremiah, 20, who hails from Chikun Local Government in Kaduna State, provided chilling details during a police parade alongside three other suspects.
In a harrowing confession, Jeremiah explained his actions, stating, "I came to Kogi State to hustle. I met Damilola last Sunday and approached her. We started chatting, but I had already planned to use her for rituals." Jeremiah disclosed that he had prepared a lethal concoction of codeine and sprite, which he first drank to mask his intentions before offering it to Damilola, who accepted it without suspicion.
Once Damilola became incapacitated, Jeremiah claimed he took her to an uncompleted building nearby, where he strangled her and subsequently mutilated her body to extract several organs, including her eyes, tongue, lungs, and intestines. He revealed that a native doctor from Ibadan, who he found on TikTok, had instructed him on what to do, providing tools for the ritual through a driver.
Jeremiah also stated that the remains were packed into a calabash, which was then sent back to Ibadan, highlighting a chilling connection to a money-making scheme fueled by superstition.
The case has drawn attention not only because of its shocking nature but also due to the involvement of three other alleged accomplices: Emmanuel Otitoju, Barnabas Olugbenga, and Ajayi Basit Ayomide. During the parade, each suspect attempted to distance themselves from Jeremiah's actions.
Barnabas, also from Kaduna, mentioned that he was unaware of Jeremiah's intentions to kill Damilola, asserting that he had only sought a cleansing soap from a native doctor to improve his financial prospects. Emmanuel Otitoju, a sociology student at the same university, denied any involvement in the crime and insisted he was unaware of the murder plot. Ajayi Basit, a 19-year-old microbiology student, claimed he merely provided housing for Barnabas and Jeremiah, expressing shock at their actions.
The Kogi State Police Command has vowed to thoroughly investigate the case, ensuring that justice is served for Damilola and her grieving family.