Niger State Police command has arrested five suspected ritualists in a hotel located in Bida Local Government Area of the state over alleged possession of human skull.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued and obtained by Sunday Tribune in Minna on Friday.
He identified the suspects as Ahmadu Jiya, 31, of Gbafu via Enagi; Mohammed Ndache, 70, of Nagya in Edati LGA; Abubakar Mohammed, 21, of Duma via Lavun; Mallam Ali Mohammed, 20, of Tsyaduka via Lemu in Gbako LGA; and Mohammed Adamu, 25, of Edati LGA.
According to police investigations, the case began when the first suspect, Ahmadu Jiya, allegedly exhumed the skull of his late maternal grandmother who died at the age of over 90 in a desperate attempt to settle debts exceeding N2 million.
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During interrogation, Jiya allegedly confessed that he was instructed by Mohammed Ndache, a self-proclaimed herbalist, to procure a human head dead or alive in exchange for financial assistance.
Initially, Jiya was accompanied by his friend, Mohammed Adamu, to deliver the skull, but Adamu reportedly backed out.
Jiya later returned with Abubakar Mohammed, and together they sold the skull to him for N100,000, with N40,000 paid upfront as a deposit.
The trio was then introduced to another herbalist, Mallam Ali Mohammed, who promised to perform a ritual that would double their money.
However, a dispute arose when the suspects demanded a refund from Mallam Ali, who directed them to meet him at a hotel in Bida. Acting on a tip-off, police operatives swooped in and arrested all five suspects at the hotel.
SP Wasiu Abiodun stated that the suspects are currently undergoing a discreet investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna.
He assured that they will be prosecuted at the conclusion of the investigation for their alleged involvement in ritual and criminal activities.
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