By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
A 29-year-old herbalist, Baoku Gbuyi and 27-year-old bricklayer, Olamide Odulaja have been arrested by detectives of Ogun state police command, over the killing of a housewife, Modupeola Folorunsho and her 4-year-old son, Peter Folorunsho, for money making ritual.
Baoku and Olamide were said to have been arrested following report received at Ijebu Igbo division, from the victim’s husband on 14th of February 2021 that his wife and his son went out since the previous day and yet to return, and that efforts to locate her and the little boy didn’t yield any positive result.
According to statement from the Spokesman of the state police command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, on Sunday, after the husband of the victim reported the incident to the police, a case of missing person was incidented, and the DPO Ijebu Igbo division, SP Kazeem Solotan detailed his crack detectives to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of the woman and her son.
The statement reads, “the detectives there and then embarked on technical and intelligence based investigation, which led them to the arrest of Olamide Odulaja at Ibadan.
“On interrogation, Olamide confessed that he and one herbalist abducted the victim and her son on the 13th of February 2021, and that the victim and her son were killed for money ritual at the house of the said herbalist.
“He stated further that, it was the herbalist who burnt the woman’s head which he used for him. Upon his confession, detectives went after the herbalist who resides at Araromi street Japara Ijebu Igbo.”
The statement stated further that on getting to the herbalist’s residence, it was discovered that the he had taken to flight having heard about the arrest of Olamide. Subsequently, all the adjoining divisions of the Nigeria Police were alerted to be on look out for the fleeing suspect.
He was said to have eventually been traced to Kajola village, where he was arrested by the DPO Awa Ijebu with the assistance of hunters and local vigilantes.
On interrogation, Baoku, the herbalist confessed that it was Olamide Odulaja who approached him for money making ritual following which he asked him to bring the head of human being as one of the material to be used.
He stated further that they both conspired to abduct the woman and her son and slaughter them for that purpose. He confessed further that he burnt the woman’s head with some other herb material which he gave to Olamide to use.
When asked about the little boy, he said that his head and remains was dumped inside a pit latrine.
The commissioner of police, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun, who commended his men for their display of investigative intelligence has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to state criminal investigation and intelligence department for further investigation and diligent prosecution.
Ajogun who described the incident as the height of man inhumanity to man, warned those who are out looking for money making ritual to desist as only hardwork backed with prayer can lead to success.