The body of Oreoluwa Fatinoye, son of the late couple allegedly killed by assassins in Abeokuta on the New Year’s Day, has been recovered from the Ogun river in Abeokuta.

The deceased was reportedly thrown into a river on Adigbe- Obada Road in Abeokuta after being kidnapped by the assailants who had murdered his parents. The decomposing body of Oreoluwa was discovered floating on the river by fishermen yesterday morning.

His parents, Mr Kehinde and Mrs Bukola Fatinoye were killed by yet-to-be-identified persons in the early hours of Sunday, January 1.

The couple reportedly died during the incident that occurred at their residence, located within Ibara Government Reservation Area (GRA), Abeokuta.

It was gathered that the incident happened shortly after the couple had returned from a Cross Over Service to usher in the new year.

It was also gathered that the couple were employees of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) respectively.

The building belonging to the couple was said to have been set on fire, while one of the children of the victims and their maid were reportedly kidnapped by the assailants.

The remains of the couple, who were burnt beyond recognition, were, on Monday, buried amidst tears by sympathisers, family members and friends.

The late Oreoluwa’s body reportedly had its both hands tied with rope to the back.

The fisherman, Idowu Taiwo, who discovered the body, said he saw the body floating on the river while he was preparing for the day’s work.

“On Monday, we heard that someone was thrown into this river but this morning, while we were preparing for work, the police approached us and pleaded with us to inform them any time we discover the body.

“But, this morning, around 7.30, we discovered the body while we were checking our equipment in the river. I called someone to help us get the number of the PPRO (Police Public Relations Officer) to tell him that we have discovered the body.

“Not long after, the police came and we showed them the body after we had brought it to the riverbank,” Idowu said.

The police later took the body away in the presence of some family members of the Fatinoyes.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Superintendent (SP), confirmed that the boy’s body had been recovered.

He explained that the police would continue with their investigation to unravel the mystery behind the death of the Fatinoyes.

Meanwhile, the couple’s remains were yesterday interred in Abeokuta, Ogun State, capital. The burial service, which took place at the Christ Anglican Church, Iporo-Ake area of the town yesterday, was conducted by S.K Oyewale and was attended by family members and many sympathisers. The congregation took up the entire church and premises.

The Chairman, Editorial Board of Penpushing Media, Funke Fadugba, led some members of the organisation to the service and paid a condolence visit to a member of the family, Ambrose Somide, who is the General Manager Radio Services of Daar Communications.

The deceased families and sympathisers could not hold back tears at the burial service and during interment, as many rained curses on their yet unknown killers.

Mr Fatinoye was an ex-staffer of the Central Bank of Nigeria and his wife worked with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNNAB).

Their son is also suspected to have been murdered and his body thrown into a river in the Adigbe-Obada axis of the state capital, but the body was yet to be recovered as of the time of filing this report.

The remains of the couple, put in separate white caskets, were after the church service taken in a white colour hearse to a cemetery in the Lantoro area of Abeokuta, where they were committed to mother earth.

The officiating minister called for justice over their murder.

Mr Oyewale took his Bible reading from 1: Thessalonians 4: 13-18, while the hymns include ‘Forever with the Lord’, ‘Who are the like stars appearing’ and ‘On the resurrection Morning’

The police spokesperson in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the police have arrested a suspect, adding that investigation was ongoing.

“The incident happened after 12 in the morning. It is true that a couple was killed and set ablaze at their residence in Abeokuta, shortly after they returned from Cross over Service. This is a clear case of assassination, and we are not leaving any stone unturned to unravel those behind the killings. One person has been arrested by our operatives in connection to the incident. We will get to the root of the matter, as investigation has since begun,” Mr Oyeyemi said.