UPDATE: ARMY HANDS OVER SUSPECTED KILLER OF ABDUCTED FUNAAB STUDENT TO POLICE

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The Lagos State Police Command stated on Thursday that the Nigerian Army has handed over Adeleye Ayomide, 23, who was accused of killing Idowu Christiana, a 300-level student at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s public relations officer, acknowledged this in a statement posted on his X handle.

“Ayomide Adeleye, 23, has been handed over to #LagosPoliceNG by 9 Brigade, #HQNigerianArmy.” The handover took place today, September 5, 2024, at approximately 1400 hrs. He wrote, “The investigation is ongoing.”

Our correspondent previously reported that the spokesperson for the 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lt-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, confirmed Ayomide’s detention in a telephone interview on Thursday.

“Yes. I am aware about the issue. We arrested him and the 9 Brigade Nigerian Army will be handing him over to the Lagos State Police Command today, so you can liaise with them for further information,” Ayeni had said.

Christiana was kidnapped on the Ikorodu-Yaba Road in Lagos State on Monday, August 19, 2024.

A family source who talked on condition of anonymity earlier revealed that the abductors sought a ransom of N3 million before releasing the student.

However, after many pleadings, the abductors took N350,000, which was deposited into their account, but refused to release the kidnapped student.

Also, on Thursday, Ibrahim Adeyemi, president of FUNAAB’s Student Union Government, verified Christiana’s death over the phone, adding, “The union can confirm that she was reportedly killed by her abductor.” We will handle the situation soon.”

Christiana’s death has sparked emotions from worried Nigerians, particularly on the social networking platform X (previously Twitter).

The hashtag #JusticeForChristiana is one of the most popular on Nigeria’s X domain, with over 90,000 posts seeking justice for the deceased.