Ogun teacher kidnapping murder arrest shocks Nigeria as ex-teacher allegedly kills WAEC student and spends ransom on betting

A 30-year-old secondary school teacher, Nathaniel Baiyegun, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command on Friday, 22 May 2026, in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, over the alleged kidnapping and murder of a 16-year-old West African Examinations Council candidate, in a case that has sparked nationwide outrage and shock.

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The Ogun teacher kidnapping murder arrest centres on allegations that Nathaniel Baiyegun, a private school teacher and Pentecostal church choir master, lured his former student under the pretence of an academic coaching session before abducting and killing her.

Police say the incident has exposed a deeply disturbing chain of deception, ransom payment and attempted concealment.

Investigators from the Ogun State Police Command allege that the suspect collected a ransom of N500,000 from the victim’s father after using the teenager’s phone to negotiate payment.

Authorities further claim that the money was subsequently spent on sports betting, a revelation that has intensified public anger and added a layer of moral outrage to the case.

The victim, a 16-year-old West African Examinations Council candidate, was reportedly lured to an uncompleted building in Ogijo where the suspect allegedly administered sleeping tablets.

Police say the suspect later moved the victim’s body to a river in the MTN area of the community in an attempt to conceal the crime.

Residents of Ogijo have been left devastated by the allegations, particularly as Nathaniel Baiyegun also served as a church choir master, a role that had earned him trust within the community.

The case has raised fresh concerns over child safety and safeguarding in educational environments.

According to police sources, preliminary investigations suggest the suspect was involved in internet fraud and had previously requested explicit images from the victim, claims that are being examined as part of the broader inquiry. Officers also allege that the suspect initially attempted to disguise the crime as an accidental death.

In a detailed statement, Nathaniel Baiyegun admitted knowledge of the victim and confirmed that she had been a former student, but claimed the events escalated after what he described as a planned meeting linked to a coaching arrangement.

His account forms part of ongoing interrogations as detectives work to establish the full sequence of events.

The Ogun teacher kidnapping murder arrest has triggered renewed scrutiny of teacher conduct and student protection policies, with police describing the case as both “horrific” and deeply troubling.

Authorities say further arrests and charges may follow as the investigation progresses.

The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command reiterated that intelligence-led policing led to the suspect’s capture, while urging residents to report suspicious behaviour and maintain vigilance within their communities.