In a shocking development on Friday, the Oyo State Police Command paraded Muhammad Adekunle, a suspected ritualist accused of murdering individuals and selling their body parts in Ibadan, the state capital.
Adekunle’s alleged criminal activities have sent ripples of horror across the region, revealing a chilling case of human sacrifice and ritualistic murder.
The police also apprehended four other suspects in connection with the case: Muniru Salawudeen, Rashidat Akanji, Ismail Olalekan, and Obaleye Sanmi.
According to the authorities, these individuals admitted to purchasing various human parts from Adekunle for use in money rituals.
During a press briefing at the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, Commissioner of Police Ayodele Sonubi detailed the disturbing sequence of events.
Sonubi explained that Adekunle, along with three accomplices—Lukman, Olobe, and Ifa, who are currently at large—conspired to kill individuals for ritualistic purposes.
The investigation revealed that in January 2024, Adekunle and his accomplices began their gruesome operations. They targeted victims for their body parts, which were then sold to others involved in the ritualistic trade.
One of the most harrowing incidents occurred in April 2024, when Adekunle and his accomplices allegedly lured Adekola Sodiq to Moniya.
There, they brutally murdered him, severing his head and legs, which were subsequently sold to Obaleye Sanmi and Ismail Olalekan.
In a subsequent crime on August 7, 2024, Adekunle and his group reportedly killed Malik Kareem. They again decapitated and dismembered the victim, selling his remains to Rashidat Akanji for N70,000 at Oje Market.
On August 11, 2024, following the execution of a search warrant at the suspects’ residences, police recovered fresh human flesh, which Adekunle confessed was from Malik Kareem.
The arrest of Adekunle and his associates marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into ritualistic practices in the region.
Commissioner Sonubi emphasized the gravity of the crimes, stating, “The arrest of these individuals has uncovered a disturbing network involved in ritualistic murders. We are committed to dismantling this network and bringing all involved to justice.”
The case has sparked widespread outrage and fear among residents, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and preventive measures against such heinous activities.
As the investigation continues, the police are actively searching for the remaining accomplices and working to unravel the full extent of this disturbing criminal operation.
The Oyo State Police Command has vowed to take all necessary steps to ensure that those involved in these brutal crimes are held accountable and that justice is served.
