Operatives of Kwara State Police Command have arrested a 46-year-old suspected ritualist, Isiaka Adeniyi, over an 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, Abayawo, Ilorin, into his room under the pretext of buying pepper, “but instead covered the victim’s face with a cloth and attempted to slaughter him with a knife.”
LEADERSHIP gathered that the incident happened on July 2, 2024, at about 5:30 p.m. in the Abab Oke-Foma area of the Ilorin metropolis.
The spokesperson of the police Command, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident in a statement yesterday.
She said that it took swift action of vigilant members of the community before the suspect could be apprehended and brought to the 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 July 2, 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 buying pepper but instead covered the victim’s face with a 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. A preliminary investigation is underway, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a thorough and discreet investigation.
“The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya, commends the proactive efforts of the community members in apprehending the suspect and ensuring that justice is served in this grievous matter.
“We urge 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,” Ejire-Adeyemi said.
