A female human torso and other dismembered human remains, including severed limbs and dried bones, which were stored in bags and a paint bucket were recovered.Â
Gangs that Exhumes Bodies – A criminal organization that specialized in exhuming buried bodies and selling their body parts for ritual purpose was brought to justice by the Oyo State Police Command in Ibadan.
Police operatives arrested two members of the syndicate, Ridwan Bello and Fatai Adeleke, with body parts, according spokesperson for the command.
CSP Osifeso Adewale, said in a statement released on Friday, March 21, 2025. He said, “On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at about 0230Hrs, detectives from the Iyaganku Divisional Police Headquarters, acting on a tip-off, conducted a search at the residence of one Ridwan Bello, a 35yrs, also known as Asalailu, located at the Muslim area of Ibadan.
“During the search, a female human torso and other dismembered human remains, including severed limbs and dried bones, which were stored in bags and a paint bucket were recovered.
“In his confession, Bello claimed to have exhumed the corpse from a cemetery in Awa-Ijebu, Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State and admitted to selling the body parts to ritualists. He later led detectives to the cemetery, where his claim was verified.
“Further confession by the suspect led to the arrest of one Fatai Adeleke, 70 yrs male, his accomplice who buys human parts from the suspect for ritual purposes.
“The case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department for detailed investigation, as efforts are being intensified to identify and apprehend all those involved.
“The Command urges managers of cemeteries to exercise heightened vigilance in light of recent instances of ritualists exhuming corpses.
“Additionally, transporters are advised to scrutinize the contents of their passengers’ loads to avoid inadvertently facilitating illicit activities.”