The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has issued a direct and urgent directive to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, instructing him to initiate a swift and comprehensive investigation into the tragic passing of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made the development known in a late Saturday night official correspondence.
Adejobi said, “The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has issued a direct and urgent directive to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, instructing him to initiate a swift and comprehensive investigation into the tragic passing of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, widely known as Mohbad.
“This directive was conveyed during a brief but crucial discussion at the Police Airwing Hangar, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday, September 16, 2023. He tasked the CP to quickly and effectively unravel the truth behind the tragedy as there have been understandable concerns and speculations surrounding the circumstances of his untimely demise.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby earnestly urges any family members or close associates possessing valuable information pertaining to this case to come forward and cooperate with the Lagos State Police Command to ensure that justice is served and the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s demise are thoroughly examined.
Meanwhile, consequent upon the growing public concerns and the preliminary police review of the general circumstances surrounding the death of Mohbad, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Idowu Owohunwa, has directed the commencement of a full-scale criminal investigation into the case.
The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, made the development Saturday night in an official correspondence obtained by our correspondent.
However, the circumstances leading to the death of Mohbad who died on Tuesday at the age of 27, is yet to be unravelled and ascertained.
Giving an update on Saturday night, Hundeyin said, “To this end, the Commissioner of Police has constituted a Special Investigation Team within the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to coordinate the investigation.
“The team, which comprises seasoned homicide detectives, has been tasked to aggregate all allegations, suspicions and insinuations from various sources on the death of the singer and undertake a professional, diligent and timely investigation with a view to establishing facts, clearing all doubts and ensuring that justice is manifestly served through a meticulous process that will deploy all requisite protocols (which may include exhumation), as well as technical and scientific tools that are vital to the detailed investigation of homicide allegations of this nature.
“In aid of this initiative, the Lagos State Government has pledged its total support to the Special Investigation Team in all ways required to guarantee a diligent investigative exercise. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave this assurance while consulting with the State Commissioner of Police earlier today on how best to ensure that the case is expeditiously investigated and justice delivered promptly,”
The Lagos State Police Command, however, further made an appeal to the public to help the police with useful information.
“Meanwhile, an appeal is hereby made to the deceased’s family, friends, business associates or anyone with useful information that could aid the investigation to kindly share same with the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department on 08036885727 and to optimally support the Police in the drive for a conclusive investigation of the case.
“The Lagos State Police Command assures that progress of the investigation will, as much as legally and professionally permissible, be shared with the general public accordingly,” Hundeyin added.