The operatives of Kwara State Police Command have arrested a 46-year-old suspected ritualist, Isiaka Adeniyi over alleged attempt to kill a pepper hawker in Ilorin, the state capital.
The suspect allegedly lured a 10-year-old boy, Akeem Nurudeen, a resident of Abab area in Abayawo, Ilorin, who was hawking pepper into his room under the pretext of purchasing pepper, “but instead, covered the victim’s face with cloth and attempted to slaughter him with a knife”.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the incident happened on July 2, 2024 at about 5:30pm at Abab Oke-Foma area of Ilorin metropolis.
Spokesperson of the state’s Police Command, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.
Ejire-Adeyemi said it took swift action of vigilant members of the community before the suspect could be apprehended and brought to the police station.
It was gathered that marks from knife cuts were seen on the neck of the boy apparently while the suspect was trying to slaughter the boy.
“According to information received from the police at C Division, on the 2nd of July 2024 at about 1800 hrs, a report was received from Onidoko Police Post indicating that at about 1730 hrs, an incident occurred in the Abab Oke-Foma area of Ilorin.
“It was reported that a 10-year-old boy, Akeem Nurudeen, resident of Abab area Abayawo, Ilorin, was hawking pepper when he was lured into a room by a suspect identified as Isiaka Adeniyi, aged 46, from Ifedapo Community, Oke-Foma area, Ilorin.
“The suspect allegedly lured the victim under the pretext of purchasing pepper, but instead covered the victim’s face with cloth and attempted to slaughter him with a knife.
“Thanks to the swift action of vigilant community members, the suspect was apprehended and brought to the station. Preliminary investigation is currently underway, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough and discreet investigation,” Ejire-Adeyemi said.
The State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya commended the proactive efforts of the community members in apprehending the suspect and in ensuring that justice is served in this grievous matter.
Police urged the public to remain calm “as we continue our investigation and assure that the police will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Kwara State.”
