The Oyo State Police Command has begun a manhunt for a 29-year-old man, Quadri Mohammed, who is suspected of killing his 26-year-old girlfriend, Precious Mogaji, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Police authorities said investigations had already started to determine the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.
The spokesperson for the command, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed the development in a statement on Monday, explaining that officers were alerted to the incident by a concerned resident who found the victim lying motionless at the entrance of her boyfriend’s apartment.
According to the police, the report was made at about 12:05 a.m., prompting officers from the Ojoo Division of the police command to immediately respond.
The patrol team and the incident duty officer were dispatched to the location to confirm the report and begin preliminary investigation.
When the officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the body of the young woman lying on the floor at the doorway of the suspect’s room.
“The Oyo State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the alleged killing of a 26-year-old woman identified as Precious Mogaji,” Ayanlade said in the statement.
He explained that the incident occurred in the Oguntula area of Ojoo in Ibadan.
The police also addressed reports circulating online which claimed the incident happened in Akobo and involved a husband attempting to move his wife’s body into a vehicle.
Ayanlade described those reports as inaccurate and clarified that the crime occurred in Oguntula, not Akobo.
Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, is one of the largest cities in the country and has several densely populated communities.
Ojoo, located along the busy Ibadan–Oyo highway, is a major commercial and residential area that attracts students, traders and workers from different parts of the city.
According to the police spokesperson, officers followed standard investigative procedures when they arrived at the scene.
They documented the location, carried out a preliminary examination of the body and took photographs for evidence.
After the initial investigation at the scene, the victim’s body was moved to a nearby hospital.
It was later deposited in a morgue where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Police authorities said the medical examination will provide more information about how the victim died and whether there were signs of violence before her death.
During the investigation, officers discovered that the suspect, Quadri Mohammed, had fled the area.
Ayanlade said the police had launched a manhunt to track down the suspect and bring him in for questioning.
“The suspect is currently at large, and efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend him,” the spokesperson said.
He also appealed to members of the public to support the investigation by providing any information that could help locate the suspect.
The police urged residents who may have seen the suspect or know his whereabouts to report to the nearest police station.
They can also contact the Oyo State Police Command through its official communication channels.
The death of the young woman has sparked concern among residents in the community.
Some residents said they were shocked by the incident, noting that such cases often create fear among people living in densely populated neighbourhoods.
A shop owner in the area who spoke to reporters said many residents woke up to the news with disbelief.
“It is very disturbing to hear something like this happening around us,” the resident said.
“We hope the police will quickly find the person responsible so justice can be done.”
Cases involving violence between intimate partners have become a growing concern in many parts of Nigeria.
Over the past few years, several incidents involving the death of women in relationships have been reported in different states.
Such cases often attract public attention and raise questions about domestic violence, relationship conflicts and the safety of women.
Women’s rights groups in Nigeria have repeatedly called for stronger awareness and education about relationship violence.
They say many victims often fail to report threats or abuse early enough due to fear, social pressure or lack of support.
Advocates have also urged families and friends to take warning signs of violence seriously and encourage victims to seek help.
Law enforcement agencies in Nigeria have also increased efforts to investigate violent crimes involving domestic or relationship disputes.
Police authorities often stress the importance of early reporting and community cooperation in solving such cases.
In the present case, police investigators are expected to question residents and gather evidence from the area as part of the ongoing probe.
They may also review information from people who knew the victim or had contact with the suspect before the incident.
Security officials say such steps are important in building a clear timeline of events leading to the victim’s death.
Community leaders in Ojoo have also appealed for calm while the investigation continues.
They urged residents not to spread unverified information on social media, noting that false reports can create confusion and make investigations more difficult.
The police spokesperson also reminded the public that accurate information is important in solving crimes.
He urged people to rely on official updates from the police command rather than rumours circulating online.
For now, the main focus of the police is to locate the suspect and determine exactly what happened.
If arrested, the suspect is expected to face questioning and possible charges depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Meanwhile, residents of the community continue to express sadness over the death of the young woman.
Many say they hope the case will be thoroughly investigated and that justice will be served.
