An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan has ordered the remand of nine persons, including a teenager, over the alleged murder of a seven-year-old girl and the burning of several houses in Ikoyi-Ile, a community in Oyo State.
The suspects, who are facing charges of conspiracy, murder, and arson, include Sunday Moses, a 19-year-old, as well as Lukuman Aremu (23), Rasheed Abdulahi (20), Abioye Ojo (21), Kazeem Olayiwola (40), Oladipupo Abass (34), Abdulrahnan Isiaka (21), Lukman Awujoola (23), and Adelowo Ojo.
Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. Olasinmibo Sanusi-Zubair, did not take the plea of the defendants, citing lack of jurisdiction. She instead ordered that they be remanded at a correctional facility, pending legal advice from the Oyo State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). The case was adjourned to May 20 for mention.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Olagoke Adegbenro, the tragic incident occurred on April 16 in Ikoyi-Ile. He told the court that the accused persons unlawfully caused the death of the young girl, Burirat Hamzat, by stabbing her with a knife.
The prosecutor also revealed that the suspects allegedly set fire to three houses belonging to residents of the community: Muhammed Useni, Usman Abubakar, and Abdulahi Abubakar. The estimated value of the properties destroyed in the arson is about N150 million.
Adegbenro said the actions of the suspects contravened Sections 516 (conspiracy), 319 (murder), and 443 (arson) of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The gruesome killing has left the Ikoyi-Ile community in shock, with many residents calling for swift justice for the murdered child. It is not yet clear what led to the violence, but local sources say tension has been high in the area in recent weeks.
The Oyo State Police Command has not released full details of the incident but confirmed that investigations are ongoing. Authorities are also working to determine if more suspects are involved or if the violence was part of a larger conflict.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about rising incidents of mob violence and communal clashes in parts of the country. Security experts and community leaders have continued to urge government at all levels to improve conflict resolution mechanisms and law enforcement in rural areas.
The court’s decision to await DPP advice is standard procedure in murder cases, where further investigation is needed to determine the strength of evidence and decide whether the matter should be transferred to a higher court for trial.
As the community mourns the loss of a young life, many are hoping that justice will be served swiftly and fairly.
