The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the death of Femi Oladele, also known as Tallex, a suspect arrested in connection with the murder of two undergraduates from the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA).

Oladele, who was said to be the landlord of one of the victims, reportedly died in police custody after a brief illness.

The deceased had been arrested alongside two other suspects over the abduction and murder of Andrel Okah and John Abba, both 200-level students of the Department of History and International Studies, and the Department of Economics, respectively.

According to the police, the two students were declared missing after being unaccounted for over a three-week period, prompting their colleagues to alert authorities.

Following investigations, the police apprehended Oladele and his accomplices. One of the suspects reportedly confessed that the victims had been killed, and their bodies dumped in separate locations in Ekiti State.

Police later confirmed the recovery of Okah’s decomposing body, which has been deposited at a morgue. The search for Abba’s remains is still ongoing.

A police source told PUNCH that Oladele took ill while in detention and was rushed to a hospital by the authorities, where he eventually died.

 “The suspect (Oladele) was sick in the custody where he was kept by the police. When his health condition worsened, he was quickly rushed to the hospital, where he later died,” the source disclosed.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Olayinka Ayanlade, stated that Oladele had been under medical supervision since his arrest.

 “Yes, he is dead. He had been in and out of the hospital while in custody. He passed away yesterday (Friday),” 

“We have recovered the decomposing body of Okah and are still searching for Abba’s remains. We urge the public to disregard any attempt to twist the facts. The command remains fully committed to justice. Everyone involved will face the full weight of the law," Ayanlade said.

The deaths of the students have sparked outrage within the AAUA community and beyond, with student groups demanding a thorough and transparent investigation.