The prime suspect in the murder of a couple, Kehinde and Bukola Fatinoye, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, has reportedly escaped from police custody.

The Star had reported that the couple, who were employees of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), were burnt to death by unknown assailants after they returned from crossover service to usher in the New Year in the Ibara Government Reservation Area (GRA) of Abeokuta last Sunday.

One of the children of the victims and their maid were also kidnapped by those behind the incident before the decomposing body of the deceased son was recovered at a river along the Adigbe-Obada Road in Abeokuta on Monday.

However, it was gathered that the prime suspect, identified simply as Lekan, escaped from police custody at Ibara Police Divisional Headquarters after his arrest on Tuesday.

It was learned that the suspect, who was said to have been driving Mrs Fatinoye for about two years and was well known at FUNAAB where the deceased worked, was arrested following an earlier arrest of another suspect who was a house help to the Fatinoyes.

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A family source told Channels Television that Lekan was taken into custody at Ibara police station after the house help, who also escaped assassination by the assailants, identified him as one of the killers at the scene.

It was further revealed that the suspect, at the point of taking a statement from him, slumped and was almost lifeless, not known to the police that it was only an act and a ploy to escape lawful custody.

Lekan was said to have been rushed to a police clinic at Zone II in order to rescue him so as to help the police in its investigation.

The source added that the suspect, while trying to rescue him, suddenly woke up, caught the health workers unaware, took to his heels, and escaped from the clinic.

The source further disclosed that efforts by the police to re-arrest the suspect proved abortive, adding that there were indiscriminate gunshots while the police chased the suspect.

Meanwhile, the police have launched a manhunt for the escaped suspect by declaring him wanted.

A ‘wanted’ message carrying Lekan’s picture which has been in circulation since Thursday read: “Wanted! Wanted!! Wanted!!! This is the guy suspected to have been part of the culprits that murdered a couple in Abeokuta on New Year’s Eve.

“His name is Lekan. He is currently at large and has been declared wanted by the police. Anyone who knows or sees him should contact the nearest police station. Kindly share.”

However, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, has yet to speak on the latest development as of press time.

The Star