A case of kidnapping and murder has come to light, involving 23-year-old Ayomide Ayodele, a psychology student at Olabisi Onabanjo University. Ayodele has been arrested in connection with the brutal death of Idowu Christianah, a fellow student from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, who was reported missing in Yaba, Lagos.
The shocking allegations against Ayodele are compounded by a grim history; he is also linked to the deaths of his ex-girlfriend and, in a tragic incident in 2022, his own sister. In this most recent case, police alleged that Ayodele kidnapped Christianah after contacting her parents and demanding a ransom of 3 million Naira.
The student was declared missing on August 19, 2024, after her family received messages from her abductor via her WhatsApp account. Initial demands for a ransom of 1.5 million Naira led her family to raise 350,000 Naira, which was subsequently transferred to a betting account linked to Ayodele. After the payment was made, communication with the abductors ceased.
Intelligence operatives commenced an investigation on August 26, tracking transactions linked to the suspect. On August 29, they confirmed that the bank details used belonged to Ayodele, who had been withdrawing money from the betting account shortly before the account was locked.
Operatives studied Ayodele’s social media activities and tracked his phone to his parental home in Ikorodu. After confirming his presence, the Nigerian Army’s 174 Battalion arrested him, uncovering compelling evidence, including the victim’s mobile phone and details about the ransom transactions.
During questioning, Ayodele reportedly confessed to killing Christianah and burying her near his home. Investigators are also probing his potential involvement in the earlier murders of his sister in 2020 and his ex-girlfriend, both of which bore similar characteristics to the current case.
Ayomide Ayodele is currently in police custody, with further investigations ongoing. He is set to face court charges as authorities seek justice for Idowu Christianah and her grieving family.
The case has sparked outrage and renewed calls for justice on social media, with many using the hashtag #JusticeForChristianah to rally support. Updates on the investigation and legal proceedings are anticipated as the people grapples with the harrowing revelations.
