There was pandemonium in the ancient town of Iwo in Osun State on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 when policemen uncovered a ritualist den operated by siblings in the state.

The suspects, Monsuru Tajudeen and Lawal Tajudeen were arrested in the den located at Yemoja compound, Iwo, by the police after they were said to have killed one Mutiat Alani who went missing and the police launched an investigation into the matter.

The police were said to have stormed the house of the suspects, where some skulls and mutilated bodies were recovered.

Upon their arrest, angry residents, besieged the den and razed down four buildings, including those belonging to the suspects.

A resident, simply identified as Olaide, told our correspondent  that the suspects were arrested after a mobile phone belonging to Mutiat (the victim) that had been declared missing a few days ago, was tracked to a vulcaniser in Iwo.

“The telephone of the missing woman was tracked to one vulcanizer who told the police that he got the phone from one of the siblings.

“He led the police to the house of the ritualists and they were arrested. Irate youths burnt down the house after corpses were recovered on Monday night. We are still in fear of the incident,” he said.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the arrest of the two siblings.

Opalola said, “We arrested two suspected ritual killers, Monsuru Tajudeen  and  Lawal Tajudeen at Yemoja compound, Iwo. Monsuru had told us he killed for ritual purposes and that he has killed many people.

“A woman was reported missing and a search was launched. The name of the woman is Mutiat Alani. When the police commenced an investigation of the missing woman, her phone was tracked and the phone was discovered in the possession of Monsuru.

“Police operatives that went to the scene recovered two mutilated bodies. Angry residents also on Tuesday attacked the house where the bodies were recovered and some adjourning buildings and razed them. Investigation had commenced into the matter.”

 

Reacting, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, in a statement by his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, said: “The Oba is disappointed that Iwo residents could still kill for rituals despite his frequent anti-ritual campaigns in the media. He described the perpetrators as bastards of Iwoland, urging security agencies to conduct a full investigation into their allies.

“As an ardent campaigner against ritual killings, I condemn in totality the recently discovered ritual den in Iyemoja, Iwo. It is an act against humanity. The perpetrators should be made to face the full wrath of the law. Iwo is known for morality and respect for human lives. Anyone caught dealing in human parts should be treated as criminal and bastard.

“I have commenced the process to confiscate the den discovered in Iwo. I will approach a competent court of law to give a permit to confiscate land/house and surrounding houses of ritual killers. A powerful security committee will be set up as a liaison between the town and the security to give tip-off information on suspicious ritual murdering. Doing so will serve as a deterrent to others and chase ritualists dealing in human parts away from Iwo,” he added.

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