ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A suspect identified as Gbesemehan Dewanu Solomon has been arrested over alleged harvesting of human skulls.
Solomon was alleged to have harvested the skulls from graves in Ipokia community, the headquarters of Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Daily Trust had reported how suspected ritualists exhumed at least 50 corpses and cut off their heads in the ancient community between November 2022 and January, 2023.
Residents disclosed that the hoodlums, usually at night, would storm graveyards and in many cases, compounds where people buried their loved ones to carry out the heinous crime.
The residents also alleged that the security agencies have failed to apprehend any suspect in connection with the crime.
It was gathered that community leaders rose to the challenge and put a security team in place to go after the culprits.
The locals further told Daily Trust that the communal efforts paid off in the early hours of Tuesday as Solomon was caught in the act at an area called Idologun in the town.
Solomon was about to exhume a skull when he was arrested by residents, as was gathered
He was reportedly apprehended with a skull in his bag and the tools he uses in digging out the dry heads.
The incident was also confirmed to the journalists by Onipokia of Ipokia, Oba Yisa Olaniyan. He said one of the ritualists disturbing Ipokia town had been arrested.
According to the monarch, the suspect has been handed over to the police and investigation has commenced immediately.
Olaniyan appealed to the Ogun State Police Command to do the needful to fish out the accomplices of Solomon and those buying the skulls from him.
He said: “We must get to the root of this matter and everybody involved must face the law, no matter who they are.”
Olaniyan disclosed that human skulls were recovered from the man’s house when it was searched by the Police.
On his part, the Police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said he had not been briefed on the matter.
Police sources however, have confirmed the arrest, saying the man is still being interrogated.