Student’s killing: I drugged her, spent ransom on betting — Ogun teacher

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old private school teacher, Nathaniel Baiyegun, over the alleged abduction and killing of a 16-year-old West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) candidate, identified as Florence.

According to police sources, the suspect allegedly lured the teenager—said to be his former student—under the pretext of attending an academic coaching session. He reportedly held her in an uncompleted building and later administered sleeping tablets, which led to her death.

Investigators said Baiyegun subsequently contacted the victim’s father to demand a ransom. He allegedly received ₦500,000, which he later confessed to spending on online sports betting.

Police findings further indicated that the suspect had earlier reconnected with the victim after she left his school and allegedly attempted to link her with a friend identified as Sola. During the incident, the girl was reportedly kept against her will before being drugged.

In a statement to investigators, Baiyegun claimed the death was accidental, saying he gave the teenager sleeping pills after she complained of fear and inability to sleep. He said he later discovered she was in distress and, in panic, disposed of her body in a river in Ogijo.

He also admitted to deceiving the victim’s father into paying the ransom, despite already knowing she was dead.

Authorities added that preliminary investigations linked the suspect to other criminal activities, including alleged internet fraud.

Reacting to the development, the spokesperson for the command, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the arrest followed a coordinated operation by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. He commended the operatives for their efforts and reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling violent crimes.

Babaseyi also acknowledged the support of the state Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, noting that intelligence-driven policing continued to yield results in the state.

The police urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies as efforts intensify to dismantle criminal networks across Ogun State.