Oyo police uncover syndicate that specialises in exhuming corpses and selling body parts to ritualists

Saturday, March 22, 2025 - The Oyo State Police Command has busted a syndicate that specialized in exhuming buried corpses and selling their body parts for ritual purposes, in Ibadan. 

Spokesperson of the command, CSP Osifeso Adewale, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, March 21, 2025, said police operatives arrested two members of the syndicate, Ridwan Bello and Fatai Adeleke with body parts. 

“On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at about 0230Hrs, detectives from the Iyaganku Divisional Police Headquarters, acting on a tip-off, conducted a search at the residence of one Ridwan Bello, a 35yrs, also known as Asalailu, located at the Muslim area of Ibadan,” the statement read.

"During the search, a female human torso and other dismembered human remains, including severed limbs and dried bones, which were stored in bags and a paint bucket were recovered. 

"In his confession, Bello claimed to have exhumed the corpse from a cemetery in Awa-Ijebu, Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State and admitted to selling the body parts to ritualists. He later led detectives to the cemetery, where his claim was verified.

"Further confession by the suspect led to the arrest of one Fatai Adeleke, 70 yrs 'm', his accomplice who buys human parts from the suspect for ritual purposes. 

Adeleke also admitted to his involvement in the illicit trade of human body parts. 

"The case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department for detailed investigation, as efforts are being intensified to identify and apprehend all those involved.

"The Command urges managers of cemeteries to exercise heightened vigilance in light of recent instances of ritualists exhuming corpses. Additionally, transporters are advised to scrutinize the contents of their passengers' loads to avoid inadvertently facilitating illicit activities.

"Finally, the Command encourages the general public to report any suspicious occurrences to the Police or other law enforcement agencies. Contact the Oyo State Call Response Center at 615 or use the following numbers: 08081768614, 09054133071, and 09061299291.

“Remember, if you see something, say something. Together, we can enhance the safety and security of our community.”