The collaborative effort of a local Vigilante group with the operatives of the Police in Ogun have led to the arrest of an herbalist who cut hands of a deceased 13 years old for rituals.
Ogidan Mustapha was arrested on Monday at Igode in Sagamu Local Government area of Ogun state.
According to a Press Release from the Office of the Police Public Relations officer,SP Omolola Odutola, the divisional police officer of Igode was informed that on the 20th of September 2024, at about 1:30 am, suspicious activity was noticed in a bush near the Igbosoro river in Igode village.
Ogidan Mustapha was apprehended while dumping a wrapped corpse in a mat in the area.
Upon closer inspection by vigilante operatives, it was discovered that the corpse was a young girl, one Oriyomi Gboyega, female 13 year old with both of her hands amputated and wrapped in a mat before being discarded near the river.
Upon contacting the mother, one Peace Adegboyega ‘F’, she stated that her daughter had died from electrocution on the 19th of September 2024 at about 10:20 am, and arrangements were being made for her burial the following day. She expressed shock upon learning that their neighbour, Ogidan, was found with the amputated body of her daughter in the bush.
A search warrant was executed at Ogidan Mustapha’s residence by the Divisional Police Officer and the Vigilante group. Two English pump action rifles and various local charms were recovered in his house.
During police interrogation and questioning, the suspect denied amputating the 13 year-old girl but confessed that the girl’s father, one Sunday Adegboyega, had asked him to help bury the deceased far from home. Three other suspects of northern origin who assisted in digging the grave were also arrested.
Further information on the case will be provided, and those arrested will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation.
