Joy Anyim
A herbalist, identified as Lajuwon Ogunleye, and his wife, Apalaya Adetutu, have been arrested for the conspiracy and murder of their seven-year-old son, Apalaya Pelumi, for ritual purpose.
The suspects who were arrested on April 22, 2020, by operatives of Abigi Police Division, Ogun State Police Command, reportedly connived with one Fatai Sefiu to perpetrate the heinous crime.
Information had it that the late Pelumi did not show any sign of sickness before he suddenly slumped and died.
This arouse the suspicion of neighbours, that the boy might have been used for ritual.
Upon their suspicion, their neighbours started monitoring the herbalist who is the step-father of the deceased.
The suspects were trailed to the bush where they took the victim for burial.
According to the Ogun Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, the boy was buried in an upright position after removing some parts from his corpse.
Oyeyemi said, “This confirmed the suspicion of the people and they quickly informed the police.
“Upon the information, the Sovisonal Police Officer, Abigi Division, Tarkighir Joseph, a Superintendent of Police, led his men to the bush in Iwopin area of Ijebu Waterside where the suspects were rounded up.
“They led policemen to where the victim was buried and it was discovered that the deceased was buried in standing position. On interrogation, Sefiu told the detectives that the boy was actually used for ritual by his Step-Father in connivance with the deceased boy’s mother.
“He stated further that the couple have reached a conclusion before he was coopted into the business.
“The mother of the victim Adetutu who first denied having knowledge of her husband plan to use her son for ritual, was dumbfounded when asked whether or not she followed them to the bush where her son was buried and the mode of burial of the boy.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Kenneth Ebrimson has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation and prosecution.”
