A suspected ritualist has been arrested in Bayelsa State over the gruesome murder of a six-year-old boy in the Aretalin area of the Ovom community, Yenagoa Local Government Area.
The suspect, identified as Bobby, was apprehended on Wednesday night while allegedly attempting to flee with the mutilated body of the child concealed in a sack.
The boy had reportedly travelled to Yenagoa to celebrate the Sallah festivities before he was tragically killed.
The shocking discovery sparked outrage among residents, particularly members of the Hausa-speaking community in the area.
However, the situation was brought under control by some Hausa elders, who intervened to prevent mob action and handed the suspect over to the police.
On Thursday, a delegation from the Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence (AWAGBV) and the Bayelsa chapter of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) visited the bereaved family to express condolences and demand justice.
A family member, speaking during the visit, lamented the loss of the boy, noting that he had merely come to celebrate the holiday but had his life “cut short by evil.”
Chairperson of FOMWAN in Bayelsa and AWAGBV member, Hajia Aisha Abeki, described the incident as heartbreaking and called on the Bayelsa State Police Command to ensure justice is swiftly delivered.
Echoing this call, AWAGBV President, Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry, condemned the murder in strong terms and urged relevant authorities to work together to prosecute the case fully.
Speaking to reporters, Chairperson of the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), Dr. Boma Tonye Miebai, alongside Dr. Harry and FOMWAN officials, confirmed they had received assurances from the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, that the suspect is in custody and investigations are underway.
Police spokesperson Musa Mohammed also confirmed the arrest and stated that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further action.