The Tragic Murder and Dismemberment of Iya Dupe
The murder and dismemberment of Iya Dupe, a 53-year-old woman from the Aba Afaa Community in Olomi-Academy, Ibadan, Oyo State, has sent shockwaves through the community. Her younger sister, Tope, who prefers to keep her surname confidential, is now seeking justice for her late sibling. She believes that the suspect, Mutiu, should face severe consequences for his actions.
Iya Dupe was last seen alive on November 10 when she was sent by her stepfather to buy bread. After returning home, she went to bed, only to be found dead the next morning. Her body had been brutally dismembered, with her head, feet, palms, breasts, private parts, and flesh from both thighs missing.
Tope shared the background of her sister, explaining that Iya Dupe had developed postpartum psychosis after giving birth via caesarian section to a daughter who later died. This led to her being taken back to her stepfather’s house for care. Since her mother’s death, Iya Dupe had been living there, often relapsing into her condition.
The Suspect and His History
Mutiu, the suspected killer, has a history of criminal activities. He was an ex-prisoner known for stealing goats and other domestic animals in the community. He and his wife were once banished from the area due to their thefts. They were also among the suspects arrested in connection with the abduction of twins belonging to a popular Islamic scholar in Ibadan.
Before the murder, Mutiu had returned to the community where he once lived with his family. Tope recognized him from the community, noting that he used to steal animals at night, assisted by his wife. She also recalled that his wife had been cruel to the kidnapped twins, beating them and offering them cassava flakes instead of cereal.
The Investigation and Arrest
When the news of Iya Dupe’s killing broke, Mutiu became the prime suspect. The Oluyole Security Surveillance Team (OSST) Commandant, Comrade Olusegun Idowu, and his team quickly arrived at the scene. They found Mutiu attempting to flee through a window but were able to apprehend him.
Idowu recounted the events: “The house built by the deceased’s stepfather has two apartments. While the nonagerian lives in one, Iya Dupe lived in the other which was also being used as a kindergarten school. She would get out of the apartment after waking up and return in the evening.”
The proprietress of the kindergarten school discovered the dismembered body in the morning, prompting an immediate alarm. The OSST team arrived shortly after, and Mutiu was taken into custody. He was handed over to the police, and subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The Role of the Suspects
During the investigation, it was revealed that Mutiu had contacted his buyers, Adifala and Afaa Ibrahim, early on the day of the incident. He delivered the human parts to them and then returned home as if nothing had happened.
Mutiu’s girlfriend, who was two months pregnant, had come from Ikirun, Osun State, to visit him on the day of the incident. She reported that Mutiu had left her in Ikirun and later called her to return to Ibadan. When she arrived, the OSST was already at the scene.
Confessions and Further Details
Mutiu confessed to the murder during interrogation, admitting to interactions with a POS operator named Hassan and a native doctor named Adifala. He also mentioned that he had sold human parts to Afaa Ibrahim before. Adifala confirmed that Mutiu had brought him a human head, two feet, a breast, and flesh from one of the thighs on November 11.
Afaa Ibrahim claimed to have bought the victim’s two palms, the other breast, and flesh from the other thigh, which were handed over to him at Pegba area, along Amuloko Road. He stated that he had paid between N150,000 and N250,000 for the human parts and burned them immediately, labeling the ashes “Gbééré adobalesun” to avoid suspicion.
Adifala also admitted to throwing the human parts into the river after learning of Mutiu’s arrest.
Conclusion
Mutiu confessed to entering Iya Dupe’s room after midnight, noting that the window was covered with tarpaulin, making it easy for him to gain entry. He also revealed that he had killed a security man employed by a block industry on Amuloko Road and removed his body parts.
As the investigation continues, the community awaits justice for Iya Dupe and her family. The case highlights the need for stricter measures against such heinous crimes and the importance of community vigilance.
