Two young men, barely out of secondary school, are now at the centre of a chilling murder case that has sent shockwaves through Lagos, after they allegedly kidnapped and killed their former classmate in a crime police say was both premeditated and brutally executed.
The suspects, 21-year-old Anthony Oghenetega from Delta State and 23-year-old Emmanuel Elijah from Akwa Ibom State, have confessed to the abduction and killing of 17-year-old Thompson Omokhafe Adams, who just sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by JAMB.
According to the Lagos State Police Command, the victim was on his way home from the examination when he was lured to the residence of one of the suspects in the Ikorodu area of Lagos — a decision that would prove fatal.
In a confessional statement following his arrest, Anthony admitted that the victim was invited under the guise of a friendly visit, unaware of the deadly plot awaiting him.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had armed themselves in advance with a cutlass, a nailed stick, chains, and padlocks, clear indications, police say, that the attack was not spontaneous.
Upon arrival, Thompson was initially received warmly. But behind the scenes, the suspects were reportedly communicating via WhatsApp, coordinating their next move.
“We told him to sit down, and my associate chained his leg and padlocked it. He was panicking,” Anthony confessed.
The situation quickly escalated from intimidation to violence. The suspects recorded videos of the victim while he was restrained, a disturbing detail that has further deepened public outrage over the case.
Killed Out of Fear of Exposure
According to the confession, the motive for the killing stemmed from fear.
Anthony told investigators that his accomplice insisted the victim knew too much about them, their identities, families, and social circles, and could expose them if released.
“After we made the videos, my associate said we should not let him go because he would expose us. That was when we agreed to kill him,” he stated.
The victim was then strangled.
“I strangled him from behind. When I got tired, I told my associate to continue. When he became quiet, we knew he was dead,” Anthony admitted.
Body Dumped In Bush In Calculated Cover-Up
After the killing, the suspects reportedly stuffed the victim’s body into a “Ghana must go” bag they had purchased earlier, in what investigators describe as a calculated attempt to conceal the crime.
To avoid suspicion, they pretended to be heading out for a music-related engagement, carrying the bag alongside supposed equipment.
The body was transported on a motorcycle to a remote location and dumped in a bush.
“We waited to make sure nobody was coming, then dragged the bag into the bush and left him there,” Anthony confessed.
In a further twist, he revealed that he contacted his father the next morning, requesting money to flee the area.
Police investigations have since uncovered a more disturbing pattern.
Authorities allege that the suspects are linked to another kidnapping and murder incident in November 2025, where they reportedly collected a ransom of ₦300,000 before killing a female victim.
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Confirming the arrests, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, disclosed the development during a press briefing at the State Command Headquarters in Ikeja.
He noted that the arrests were part of a broader crackdown on criminal activities across the state.
According to the police, a total of 118 suspects were arrested in April 2026 alone, following intelligence-led operations targeting armed robbery, cultism, vandalism, and street crimes.
Items recovered during the operations include 11 locally fabricated barretta-style pistols, one locally made prototype pistol, one English-made pistol, two dane guns, nine telecommunication batteries, four cutlasses and one knife, as well as quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
In one major raid carried out on April 26 at about 7:30 p.m., 58 suspects were arrested for alleged involvement in traffic robberies, street attacks, and harassment of residents in areas including Lekki and Mushin.
The Lagos State Police Command said investigations into the murder case and related crimes are ongoing, adding that all suspects found culpable will be charged to court.
Authorities also reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling criminal networks and restoring public confidence in law enforcement.
But beyond the statistics and arrests, the killing of a 17-year-old boy, lured and murdered by those he once called friends, has left a deeper question lingering:
How did a generation on the brink of adulthood become capable of such calculated violence?
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.