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OOU Student Admits to Murdering FUNAAB’s Christianah Idowu and Using Her Photo to Demand Ransom
Ayomide Adeleye, a 200-level Philosophy student at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ogun State, has confessed to the murder of Christianah Idowu, a 300-level student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
Adeleye made his confession on Monday to the 174 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, concluding a two-week search for Idowu, who had been missing since August 19. She disappeared while traveling from Ita Oluwo to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in Yaba, where she was doing an industrial attachment.
Reports from insiders revealed to FIJ that Adeleye was apprehended after military personnel traced Idowu’s phone to his residence in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State. Initially, Adeleye denied any involvement, claiming he had come into possession of her phone through his phone repair business. He later admitted to killing Idowu on the same day she went missing.
Incident Details
Idowu and Adeleye were familiar with each other, both having lived in the Ita Oluwo community and attended the same church. On the day of the incident, Idowu sought shelter in Adeleye's family shop to escape a downpour. Adeleye invited her into his house when the rain intensified.
While at his home, Adeleye attempted to assault Idowu. When she resisted, he killed her. Later that evening, Adeleye used Idowu’s phone to send threatening messages to her mother via WhatsApp, demanding N3 million for her release and providing a 24-hour deadline. He sent two photos of Idowu, one showing her lifeless body, although this was not known to the mother or investigators until Adeleye’s confession.
Ransom Demands and Negotiations
Adeleye posed as a kidnapper from northern Nigeria and negotiated a reduced ransom of N400,000, claiming he was involved in organ trafficking. He even suggested that if he did not receive at least N1.5 million, he would sell Idowu’s organs.
Throughout the negotiation, Adeleye feigned concern and suggested that Idowu’s friends and church community might help raise the ransom. He continued to communicate with Idowu’s friends under the pretense of concern.
Arrest and Investigation
Upon his arrest, the military discovered seven phones in Adeleye’s possession and an email address he used to manage the ransom payments. The military had frozen a SportyBet account and an associated Wema Bank account after receiving N350,000 from Idowu’s mother. Adeleye had requested additional money to facilitate withdrawal from the account, but he later complained about insufficient funds.
Adeleye was apprehended after the military tracked Idowu’s phone to his home. He confessed to burying her in a shallow grave on his property. During interrogation, Adeleye attempted to commit suicide but was restrained.
The case has been handed over to the Lagos Police Command for further investigation. Joel Ugowe, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, has expressed commitment to thoroughly investigating the case.
