Nigeria Police has apprehended a suspected ritualist with fresh human head and dismembered body parts of a female victim. The arrest of Taiwo Yemitan, a 45-year-old, occurred in the Lafenwa area of Abeokuta. SP Omolola Odutola, the Command’s spokesperson, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, disclosing that Yemitan was apprehended at approximately 1:40 am at his residence located behind Atinsola Petrol Station, Sanni, Abeokuta.
The arrest was the result of a tip-off from local security groups, including the Agbekoya and Vigilante operatives, who led the raid on Yemitan’s home. During the operation, the gruesome discovery was made, leading to Yemitan’s immediate apprehension.
Upon interrogation, the suspect admitted to knowing the deceased, identified as Darasimi. He confessed to luring her to his home with the intent to kill. Yemitan further implicated two accomplices, Kehinde Yemitan and one Kazeem, whose surname is yet to be identified. According to his statement, their aim was to sell the victim’s head and body parts for ritual purposes.
The dismembered remains have been transferred to the Ijaye General Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to locate Yemitan’s accomplices and identify the victim’s family. Yemitan is expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, for further investigation and prosecution.
SP Odutola highlighted the disturbing rise in ritualistic killings, referencing a similar case earlier this year involving a suspect named Azeez Adebayo. Adebayo admitted to murdering three women whom he lured through an online hookup platform. His syndicate targeted unsuspecting young women on a site called “MY CHAT,” enticing them with promises of large sums of money. These women, unaware of the danger, visited specified addresses, where they were brutally killed.
In her statement, Odutola issued a stern warning to young women, cautioning against engaging in hookup activities. She emphasized the risks involved, stating that many women involved in such schemes often become victims of ritual killings. She urged young women to prioritize their safety over fleeting financial temptations, reminding them of the inherent value of their lives.
Odutola also called on parents to be vigilant and proactive in guiding their children, particularly daughters, to prevent them from falling prey to such horrific crimes. She encouraged women to utilize the positive aspects of social media to enhance their security and avoid becoming victims of its darker sides.
This case serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers lurking in seemingly harmless interactions and the urgent need for collective vigilance to curb such heinous crimes.