Taiwo Sobola, the father of 22‑year‑old Kabirat Sobola, spoke to Daud Olatunji about the tragic death of his daughter and the subsequent police investigation. He identified himself as the father of Oyindamola Kabirat Sobola, who was killed in her home in Ogbe, Abeokuta, on 3 February 2023. Kabirat was a 22‑year‑old graduate of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, holding a National Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology, which she completed in 2021 before taking a job with FOODCO. At the time of her death she lived alone in an apartment at Ogbe, having previously shared accommodation with friends in the Sokori area before moving to Olorunsogo at his suggestion. He described her as gentle, reserved, religious—an active member of the Celestial Church—and someone who avoided partying, preferring family gatherings and female friends.
When asked about Kabirat’s boyfriend, Sobola said he had never seen the man and would have objected to any relationship. He described the alleged boyfriend as looking like a “cultist” and a “Yahoo boy,” a view confirmed by Kabirat’s friends, and expressed disappointment that his daughter had associated with such a person. Sobola was aware of the apartment she rented and visited her there occasionally, as well as at her workplace. The last time he saw her was on 26 January 2023, when they discussed her younger sister Tobi’s WAEC examination fee. Kabirat promised to contribute N15 000 toward the N30 000 fee, and Sobola transferred his share on 28 January. He received a text from her on 1 February wishing him a happy new month; that was the final communication he had with her.
Sobola learned of Kabirat’s disappearance on 4 February after leaving work. While driving on the expressway, a friend called to inform him that Kabirat’s friend Fola had reported her missing and that the family had already been to Ibara Police Station in Abeokuta. Shocked, Sobola rushed to the station, where he met other family members and Fola, who was being questioned by police. The police told him that a young man named Kabiru, identified as Kabirat’s boyfriend, had reported her missing. Kabiru claimed they had planned to meet on Thursday and that Kabirat had told him she was traveling to her mother’s house in Ifo, though he later said she was actually heading to his place. He admitted checking her phone and seeing a message asking, “Where are you?” Kabiru said he had looked for her at her home and workplace three times without success and eventually reported her missing, having only informed Fola and other friends.
At Ibara Police Station, investigators promptly searched Kabirat’s apartment. After initially missing the key, Fola pointed it out under the door mat, allowing the police to enter. Inside, they found Kabirat’s lifeless body on the bed, with stab wounds to the neck and left breast. The officers photographed the scene and the body before transporting the corpse to the mortuary. Sobola praised the DPO and officers for their swift action, noting that the DPO even used his own car to move the body.
The investigation continued, and Kabiru was detained and later transferred to Eleweran. Sobola expressed mixed feelings about the police handling: he was satisfied with the rapid response at Ibara but disappointed that other suspects were released without his knowledge. He questioned the police about the release, receiving the explanation that Kabiru was the only person believed to know about Kabirat’s death. Regarding an autopsy, the police initially said it was unnecessary because sufficient evidence existed, but Sobola’s family arranged one anyway, following the police’s advice. The doctor released the body on 12 March for burial.
During the burial, individuals claiming to be Kabiru’s relatives arrived, including two tattooed men who later disappeared. Sobola reported them to the police, who arrested the remaining men. He also mentioned that Kabirat’s iPhone, used for TikTok, was missing from the apartment; only her Tecno phone was recovered. Kabiru alleged he had transferred N100 000 to her on the Thursday before her death, a claim Sobola expects the police to investigate.
Sobola’s wife and mother are in poor health, having been taken to the hospital weekly since the tragedy. Kabirat was the firstborn and the family’s only daughter. She had planned to continue her studies in Science Laboratory Technology and had been working at FOODCO to support the family. Sobola’s primary request to the government is justice: he wants the police to identify and prosecute the murderer. Kabiru has been charged with murder, and the family funded the autopsy themselves.
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