Man arrested exhuming relative’s skull for ritual sale in Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on crime, including the interception of ammunition concealed in a bag of Garri (fried Cassava cake), the arrest of suspected cultists, and the recovery of a human skull allegedly meant for ritual purposes.

Addressing journalists in Ilorin, Kwara state capital on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, said the successes were a result of intelligence-led policing and collaboration with other security agencies.

He said, “These achievements clearly show that criminal elements will find no safe haven in Kwara State, while law-abiding citizens can go about their daily activities without fear.

“One of the most striking operations occurred on April 10 along Ajase-Ipo Road, where operatives intercepted an unregistered Toyota Previa vehicle entering the state from Kogi. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 98 rounds of live ammunition hidden inside a bag of Garri.”

The police boss explained that “the concealment was a deliberate attempt to evade detection and facilitate illegal movement across state lines. Three suspects were linked to the operation, while one of them allegedly received N1.3 million to procure the ammunition. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate”, he said.

In a separate case, police operatives arrested two suspected cultists, Lukman Abdul-Salam, also known as “Ijaya,” and Aliu Ismaila, alias “Gambia,” over a shop-breaking incident in the Odota area of Ilorin, where goods worth about N2.5 million were stolen.

Although the suspects denied involvement in the theft, they admitted belonging to the Eiye confraternity. Police recovered an empty AK-47 magazine from their residence, raising further suspicion of links to broader criminal activities.

Similarly, two other suspects, Fabiyi Benson Seyi and Sodiq Rasheed, were arrested in the Ganmo area following a distress call. A locally fabricated cut-to-size shotgun and a live cartridge were recovered during the operation. Police said both men are confirmed members of a cult group terrorising the community.

“In another development, operatives intercepted a 29-year-old suspect, Umaru Aliu, during a routine patrol along the Oroago axis. Items recovered from him included multiple phone chargers, mobile phones, a POS machine, and other personal effects. His inconsistent account of his movement raised suspicion, and he is currently under investigation for possible involvement in kidnapping activities.

He also confirmed the arrest of one Hamza Woru in Kaiama for unlawful possession of a human skull. Investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly exhumed the remains of a deceased relative for ritual purposes.

Describing the incident, the commissioner said, “The suspect attempted to sell the human skull before he was apprehended, while his accomplice is still at large.”

He added that the case has already been charged in court under the Kwara State law prohibiting dealings in human parts.

Reaffirming the command’s commitment to security, Adekimi noted that the police are not only reacting to crimes but proactively dismantling criminal networks in the state.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible information, stressing that “security is a collective responsibility, and together we can sustain peace and safety across Kwara state.”