A team of forensic pathologists from the University of Ibadan and the University College Hospital, Ibadan, has commenced forensic evaluation of the suspected kidnappers’ den at Soka, Ibadan.
The forensic experts, led by Dr Eze Nwom, commenced the mapping of the scene on Monday, just as Nwom said the mandate of the team was to assist the police in their investigations through searching and gathering of evidence.
“The forensic evaluation will include searching the area, recovering, documenting and carrying out laboratory analysis on pieces of evidence found at the scene.
“At the end of it, we hope to be able to understand the place and the manner of activities carried out therein,” he said.
He, however, added that it would be too early to determine the duration of the evaluation.
“We cannot say precisely that it would take two or three days. We are, however, committed to work and get things done as soon as possible,” he said, adding that the forensic evaluation was at no cost to the government.
“This is a community service and we are, therefore, not charging any fee. We belong to the society and whatever takes place in it must interest us.
“Although it is worrisome that the forensic evaluation didn’t start before people started visiting this place, yet I think it is an incremental progress that we are here,” he said.
The state’s police spokesperson, SP Olabisi Clet-Ilobanafor, who said that the pathologists were working in conjunction with pathologists from the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, added that the forensic evaluation would reveal the sex and age of victims.
Clet-Ilobanafor also said 60 other suspects had been apprehended in addition to the initial eight.
“We have arrested some suspects parading the streets as madmen, but found to be in possession of guns and ammunition,” she said.
She advised members of the public to desist from spreading rumours and provide the police with information.
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