The Oyo State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of a syndicate allegedly involved in the illegal trade in human body parts and recovered suspected human remains and charms during an intelligence-led operation.
The suspects were apprehended following several months of intelligence gathering, surveillance and monitoring by operatives of the Command’s Monitoring Unit.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the operation led to the arrest of the suspects at their respective hideouts in Iseyin and Saki areas of the state.
The suspects were identified as Adam Ibrahim, 42; Nasiru Kabiru, 22; Tijani Wasiu, 54; Abiola Nasiru, 45; Amusa Gbadamosi, 57; Raheem Taofeek, 46; Jimoh Muritala, 35; Suleiman Busari, 47; Ganiyu Nurudeen, 36; and Usman Abdullahi, 52.
Following the arrests, the police searched the suspects’ hideouts and recovered several items suspected to be human body parts.
The exhibits included a suspected human heart, human flesh, pieces of human skull and assorted charms.
The command said the recovered items had been secured for forensic examination as investigations continue into their origin and intended use.
The police further said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects had confessed to their alleged involvement in the trafficking of human parts for ritual purposes.
The suspects are also assisting investigators in tracing the source of the recovered items and identifying other individuals allegedly connected to the syndicate.
The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspected members of the group.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, commended the operatives for the intelligence-led operation, describing the arrests as part of the command’s sustained efforts to combat criminal activities in the state.
Olugbenga reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that individuals involved in activities capable of undermining the sanctity of human life are brought to justice.
He consequently urged residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible and timely information that could assist in preventing and detecting criminal activities across the state.
The command advised residents requiring emergency assistance to contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre on 615 or the Police Command Control Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413.
