Oyo police arrest three suspects over alleged killing of family of six

Oyo State police have arrested three suspects over the alleged killing of Ifeanyi Chukwu, his wife and their four children in Oloba village, Lagelu Local Government Area.

The command said the family was attacked at home on September 22, 2026, and their bodies were dumped in a nearby river.

Police identified the suspects as Hammed Akinbami, Akinbami Ojo and Padonu Edward. They said detectives began investigating after receiving intelligence about the incident on October 2.

According to the police account reported by Premium Times and Daily Post, the attackers went to the home with a locally made gun, cutlasses and a club. Police alleged that they stole N200,000, a Boxer motorcycle, a Doma machine with chainsaw and a spraying machine.

The command accused Hammed of shooting Chukwu and the other two suspects of attacking his wife. It also alleged that two of the children were tied and thrown into the river, while the other family members were killed and their bodies disposed of there.

Premium Times reported differing accounts from the suspects about the motive. Hammed claimed the attack followed a dispute over a damaged phone. Padonu said he had been told they were going to collect money from the family, while Ojo claimed he was threatened into taking part. These were the suspects’ accounts, not court findings.

Police said detectives recovered the family’s motorcycle, a locally made Dane gun, two cutlasses and the club allegedly used in the attack. The command also said the suspects admitted involvement during interrogation.

Police spokesperson Ayanlade Olushola told Premium Times that the wife’s remains had been recovered, while efforts to retrieve the other bodies for autopsy and burial were ongoing. The suspects and case file are to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and legal action.

Sources: Premium Times, Daily Post