- Ibadan, Oyo State— The Oyo State Police Command has arrested eight individuals suspected of being involved in serial ritual killings, along with 15 others for alleged murder, robbery, and rape.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Ayodele Sonubi, disclosed the arrests during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Ibadan on Friday. He revealed that the police began their investigation on August 10 after receiving a report from a local resident named Ayede.
According to Sonubi, residents of a community in Moniya reported a foul odor coming from a house owned by a 40-year-old man who was rarely seen at the property, except during odd hours. Acting on this information, officers from the Moniya Divisional Police Headquarters searched the premises and discovered a dry well containing mutilated human remains.
“Upon close observation, we found the remains of three unidentified bodies inside the well,” said Sonubi. The bodies were subsequently removed and taken to the State Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
The prime suspect, who was arrested at the scene, confessed to the crimes and provided the names of accomplices who are currently on the run. Sonubi explained that the suspect and his associates had been involved in multiple killings for money rituals. In one instance, they allegedly lured a 28-year-old man to the house in Moniya in April, where they beheaded him and sold his head and legs to two other suspects.
In another incident on August 7, the suspect and his accomplices reportedly murdered a 17-year-old boy, severing his head and legs, which they sold to a female suspect for N70,000.
The police are continuing their investigation and efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects. The Commissioner of Police assured the public that the command is committed to ensuring justice for the victims and bringing all involved to account.
