Residents of Obantoko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, were thrown into shock and fear following the brutal murder of 39-year-old barber Toheeb Folarin on Tuesday night. The incident, suspected to be cult-related, has heightened tensions in the area.
Details of the Incident
According to the Ogun State Police Command, the murder occurred at approximately 10 PM on January 7, 2025, when suspected cultists stormed Folarin’s barbershop. The attackers shot him in the chest and severed his left wrist before fleeing the scene.
The command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, described the gruesome nature of the crime as deeply unsettling. “The victim was found inside his workshop with a gunshot wound to the left chest, his left wrist severed, and lying in a pool of blood,” she said. The brutality of the attack sparked unrest, prompting a swift response from security personnel to restore calm.
Community and Police Response
The incident was reported to the police by Jimoh Afolabi, a community leader, and Omotosho Basiru, a relative of the deceased. A team of detectives, led by Divisional Police Officer CSP Akindipe Michael, along with a joint patrol team from the Adatan Area Command and the Anti-Cultism Unit, promptly visited the crime scene.
Despite efforts to move the victim’s body to the mortuary, about 300 agitated youths resisted, insisting on burying the deceased according to Islamic rites the following day. The victim’s family further submitted a letter withdrawing from the police investigation, pledging to support their request with an affidavit.
Ongoing Investigations
Odutola emphasized that the police remain committed to apprehending the perpetrators of this heinous crime. She called on residents to provide any information that could aid in the investigation.
“The command is determined to bring the culprits to justice and urges anyone with useful information to come forward,” Odutola said.
A Pattern of Violence
This murder comes just months after a similar incident in Ogun State. On August 7, 2024, PUNCH Metro reported the killing of another barber, Femi Adeshina, who was fatally stabbed on Isale Oja Road in the Kuto area of Abeokuta. The recurring nature of such attacks underscores the growing concerns over cult-related violence in the state.
Call for Community Cooperation
The tragic death of Toheeb Folarin has once again highlighted the need for stronger measures to address cultism and violence in Ogun State. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement to ensure that justice is served.
