A suspected ritualist, Isiaka Adeniyi, aged 46, from the Ifedapo community in the Oke-Foma area of Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State, has been arrested by operatives of the state Police command.
According to reports from the Nigerian Tribune, Adeniyi allegedly lured a 10-year-old boy, Akeem Nurudeen, who was hawking pepper, into his room under the pretext of purchasing pepper. Instead, he covered the boy’s face with a cloth and attempted to slaughter him with a knife.
The incident occurred on July 2, 2024, around 5:30 PM in the Abab Oke-Foma area of Ilorin. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state command, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident, noting that vigilant community members’ swift action led to the suspect’s apprehension and subsequent arrest.
Witnesses reported seeing knife marks on the boy’s neck, indicating the suspect’s attempt to slaughter him. In her statement, Ejire-Adeyemi detailed the events, revealing that the Kwara State Police command received a distress call about the attempted homicide and the arrest of the suspected ritualist.
“According to information received from the police at C Division, on July 2, 2024, around 1800 hrs, a report was received from Onidoko Police Post indicating that at about 1730 hrs, an incident occurred in the Abab Oke-Foma area of Ilorin.
“It was reported that a 10-year-old boy, Akeem Nurudeen, resident of Abab area Abayawo, Ilorin, was hawking pepper when he was lured into a room by a suspect identified as Isiaka Adeniyi, aged 46, from Ifedapo Community, Oke-Foma area, Ilorin.
The suspect allegedly lured the victim under the pretext of purchasing pepper but instead covered the victim’s face with cloth and attempted to slaughter him with a knife.
“Thanks to the swift action of vigilant community members, the suspect was apprehended and brought to the station. Preliminary investigation is currently underway, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough and discreet investigation.
“The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya psc(+) commends the proactive efforts of the community members in apprehending the suspect and ensuring that justice is served in this grievous matter.
“We urge the public to remain calm as we continue our investigation and assure that the police will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Kwara State,” the statement concluded.
