By Olajide Idowu
Osogbo, Dec. 22, 2025
In a stark reminder of the persistent battle against ritualistic crime, the Osun State Police Command has announced the arrest of three suspected grave robbers in Ile-Ogbo, Iwo Local Government Area. The suspects were apprehended with a cache of macabre items confirmed to be human remains, exposing a syndicate allegedly specializing in the desecration of graves for criminal purposes.
The operation, detailed in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, was initiated on December 3rd following credible intelligence about individuals in possession of human parts. A police team swiftly raided a dilapidated building in Ile-Ogbo, leading to the arrest of the three suspects and the seizure of disturbing evidence.
The recovered exhibits paint a grim picture of the suspects’ activities and highlight the intersection of superstition and crime. The inventory included:
- Two plastics containing preserved human skin.
- A white burial gown.
- Two dried bones and 21 pieces of teeth, all suspected to be human.
- Four horns wrapped in red cloth—items often associated with ritualistic paraphernalia.
- Three small nylons containing suspected human hair.
- A small knife, a substance suspected to be Indian Hemp, and N127,000 in cash.
According to Ojelabi, the suspects confessed to exhuming the remains from a corpse at a Muslim cemetery in the Gaa-fulani Area of Ile-Ogbo. Their stated intent was to use the human parts for “money-making rituals,” a motive that underscores a dangerous and persistent belief in the efficacy of human body parts for financial gain or power—a practice law enforcement and sociologists have long sought to eradicate.
This case is not an isolated incident but points to a broader, troubling trend. The police investigation revealed the group operated as a syndicate, systematically targeting cemeteries to source materials for the illicit trade in ritual components. Such networks often supply a hidden market driven by demand from individuals seeking quick wealth through occult means, exploiting deep-seated cultural fears and superstitions.
In a related development demonstrating the police’s broader crackdown on criminal elements, the Ikire Area Command in Irewole LGA arrested another suspect on December 16th. This individual was found in possession of an unlicensed single-barrel gun with three live cartridges. A subsequent search of his residence in the Olorunsogo community, Panada Area, Ikire, yielded a second single-barrel gun. The suspect’s inability to provide a satisfactory account for the weapons suggests potential involvement in other violent crimes or armed robbery.
DSP Ojelabi confirmed that all suspects from both cases will be charged to court upon completion of investigations. Furthermore, the Commissioner of Police for Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, has issued a directive for all Divisional Police Officers to intensify intelligence-led raids on identified criminal black spots within their jurisdictions. This proactive strategy aims to disrupt criminal networks before they can carry out their plans, moving beyond reactive policing to preventative action.
The arrest of these grave robbers serves as a critical intervention, not only bringing alleged criminals to justice but also protecting the sanctity of burial grounds and providing a measure of solace to communities victimized by such violations. It highlights the ongoing challenge of combating ritual-related crime, which requires a multifaceted approach combining vigilant policing, community education, and addressing the socio-economic drivers that fuel such desperate acts.
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
