The three suspects described how they committed the murder to police after killing Sub. Lt. Samuel Akingbohun on Thursday in Idoani, Ose Local Government Area, Ondo State.
In a fisticuffs, the suspects, Ayomide Sambo, 20, Johnson Adeleke, 20, and Francis Shagari, 17, who were on display at the police headquarters in Akure, the state capital, claimed that they struck the officer with an iron rod on his head and scrotum.
The dead naval officer allegedly headbutted and slapped Johnson Adeleke while attempting to assert his right of way, according to one of the accused, Ayomide.
According to Sambo, he and Johnson, along with their third companion Francis Shagari, grew enraged and decided to pursue the naval commander until they reached a community intersection, when they struck him with an iron rod.
Prior to being apprehended, the suspect said they tried to flee the neighborhood after committing the crime.
“We were heading to get a power bank when we ran into the naval officer. He came from the other direction, and the location from which he came was not good. We were both trying to progress down the good part of the poor road when my companion shoved the policeman.
Out of frustration, the naval officer slapped and headbutted him. With the naval officer, we began pleading. After the naval commander had left, my friend alleged that he was a phony member of the military.
“Soon after, we got on bikes, rode after him to the crossroads, and met him there. A fight broke out between my friend and the naval officer. When that time came, I grabbed an iron rod and began striking him with it.
Johnson Adeleke, the other suspect, claimed: “When I was on my way to remove my power bank, I accidentally struck my elbow against the navy office. I deny being involved in the beating and death of the officer. I got a headbutt from him and a slap from him. He was a navy officer, although we were unaware of this at the time.
“I had already left Idoani in an attempt to flee when my mother’s older brother called to ask me to come to the station.”
Additionally, the third suspect, Shagari Francis, claimed, “I didn’t hit the naval officer; I was simply following them. My mother accompanied me to the police station to inquire about my membership when I was already in custody.
