Ibadan, Oyo State – The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two men for digging up buried corpses and selling their body parts for ritual purposes. The suspects, Ridwan Bello, 35, also known as “Asalailu,” and Fatai Adeleke, 70, were caught in Ibadan with human remains in their possession.
How They Were Caught
According to a statement from the Oyo State Police spokesperson, CSP Osifeso Adewale, the arrests were made after police received a tip-off about suspicious activities in Bello’s residence. Acting on this information, detectives from the Iyaganku Divisional Police Headquarters searched on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, around 2:30 a.m.
During the search, officers discovered a female human torso, severed limbs, dried bones, and other body parts hidden in bags and a paint bucket. Upon questioning, Bello confessed that he had exhumed the body from a cemetery in Awa-Ijebu, located in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State. He also admitted to selling human body parts to ritualists for money.
Following Bello’s confession, he led police officers to the cemetery, where they confirmed that graves had been tampered with. This discovery led to the arrest of his accomplice, Fatai Adeleke, a 70-year-old man who was one of the buyers of the human parts.
Confessions and Investigation
Adeleke admitted to being involved in the illegal trade and revealed that he had been buying human parts for ritual purposes. The police have now transferred the case to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation. Authorities are working to identify and apprehend other individuals connected to the syndicate.
Police Warnings and Public Safety Advice
In response to this shocking discovery, the Oyo State Police Command has issued a strong warning to cemetery managers and workers to be more vigilant in preventing unauthorized activities within burial grounds.
The police have also urged commercial transport operators to carefully check passengers’ luggage to avoid unknowingly transporting illegal items. Additionally, they called on the general public to report any suspicious behaviour in their communities.
For any emergency or to report criminal activities, residents are encouraged to contact the Oyo State Call Response Center at 615 or call the following numbers:
- 08081768614
- 09054133071
- 09061299291
This disturbing case highlights the ongoing issue of ritual killings in some parts of Nigeria. The police are working hard to stop such crimes, but community members must remain alert and report any unusual activities. As CSP Osifeso Adewale stated, “If you see something, say something. Together, we can enhance the safety and security of our community.”
