The Lagos State Police Command has refuted social media reports alleging the ritual killing of 28-year-old Lagos State University (LASU) graduate Adedamola Ogunbode, popularly known as Horlar.
Command spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Wednesday, clarified that Ogunbode had been declared missing, but no mutilated body had been discovered, contrary to claims circulating online.
“A report was made to the police that the said graduate was missing, and three suspects were arrested, including a prophet. However, the police did not discover any mutilated body of the missing graduate as being circulated on social media. He is still missing, and we are investigating a case of a missing person, not murder. There is no dead person anywhere,” Mr Hundeyin told PUNCH.
The development comes amid calls for justice by LASU’s management, which earlier alleged that Ogunbode was killed for ritual purposes.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, LASU’s deputy registrar and coordinator, Centre for Information and Public Relations, expressed the university’s sorrow over Ogunbode’s disappearance and alleged death.
According to the statement, the 28-year-old political science education graduate had been missing since January 16. Reports received by the university claimed that his mutilated body was purportedly discovered buried in the compound of a church in the Ojo area of Lagos State.
“The university management is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Ogunbode. The deceased was allegedly killed by a prophet in the Ojo area of Lagos State, reportedly for ritual purposes,” the statement read.
While condemning what it described as a “senseless act of violence,” LASU called for swift action by security agencies to bring those responsible to justice.
“The prophet of the church has been arrested and is currently assisting the police with their investigation. The university management extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew him. His untimely death is a terrible loss to the entire university community,” Thomas-Onashile added.
She urged students and the LASU community to remain calm and vigilant while the authorities continue their investigations.
