Odutola’s house.
| credits: Eniola Akinkuotu
| credits: Eniola Akinkuotu
The Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigation into the murder of a woman, identified only as Mrs. S. Odutola, in Omole Estate, Phase 2, a highbrow estate in the Isheri area of the state.
Our correspondent, who visited the deceased’s home on Fatai Alapade Street, learnt that she was alone at home with her Cameroonian security guard on the day she was killed.
When our correspondent entered the compound, it was observed that there was construction work going on. However, when our correspondent approached relatives for comment, they said, “Please we cannot talk to you.”
Neighbours, however, told Punch that the incident occurred on April 16, 2014.
A neighbourhood security guard, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the victim was strangled, while her corpse was found tied up.
He said, “The lady lived alone in the house with a Cameroonian security guard who also acted as the houseboy. We learnt that on the night of April 16, she had a misunderstanding with the security guard and she threatened to sack him.
“We believe that the guard tied her up and strangled her. He also ransacked the house and stole some of her valuables before fleeing. The guard is most likely an illegal immigrant and I think he would have gone back to his country by now.”
It was learnt that the children of the deceased, who were based abroad, began to worry when they could not get in touch with their mother.
They were said to have put a call to the neighbourhood security guards who discovered her corpse.
“We were alerted and we rushed down to the house. That was when we discovered Mrs. Odutola’s corpse. However, the security guard was nowhere to be found,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said it was early to conclude that it was the security guard that killed the woman, adding that efforts were on to apprehend him.
She said, “The matter was reported at the Isheri Police Division and later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba. The corpse of the woman was found in the house while the security guard was nowhere to be found.
“He is a suspect in the case and efforts are on to arrest him. However, the agent who hired him for the deceased has been arrested and he is at the SCID.”
In a related development, the police also discovered the corpses of a family of seven at their home in the Bagido area of Ikorodu.
Police spokesperson said there was no sign of physical injuries on the corpses.
She said, “On May 1, 2014, around 4pm, one Etim Edet, an employee of the Nigerian Breweries Plc, Lagos was allegedly found dead with his wife and five children on their beds at his residence at Bagido area of Ijede.
“No sign of violence was seen on their bodies. They were suspected to have died from generator fumes. The decomposed bodies have been moved to the Ikorodu General Hospital mortuary for autopsy. The incident is under investigation at Ijede Police Division.”
