The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a suspected ritualist who was caught while he was trying to k!ll a 10-year-old boy.
The command said it received a distress call about the attempted culpable homicide and subsequently arrested the suspected ritualist.
A statement by DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, the spokesperson for the state police command on Sunday said, “According to information received from the police at C Division, on the 2nd of July 2024 at about 1800 hrs, a report was received from Onidoko Police Post indicating that at about 1730 hrs, an incident occurred in the Abab Oke-Foma area of Ilorin.
“It was reported that a 10-year-old boy, Akeem Nurudeen, resident of Abab area Abayawo, Ilorin, was hawking pepper when he was lured into a room by a suspect identified as Isiaka Adeniyi, aged 46, from Ifedapo Community, Oke-Foma area, Ilorin.
“The suspect allegedly lured the victim under the pretext of purchasing pepper, but instead covered the victim’s face with cloth and attempted to sla*ghter him with a knife.
“Thanks to the swift action of vigilant community members, the suspect was apprehended and brought to the station. Preliminary investigation is currently underway, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough and discreet investigation.
“The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya psc(+) commends the proactive efforts of the community members in apprehending the suspect and ensuring that justice is served in this grievous matter.
“We urge the public to remain calm as we continue our investigation and assure that the police will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Kwara State,” it added.
