Operatives of the Osun State Police Command have arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged possession of a human skull believed to have been removed from a family grave in the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday, explaining that the arrests followed a report made by a resident whose late brother’s grave had been desecrated.
According to Ojelabi, the complainant informed the police on June 17 that he had visited his elder brother’s grave two days earlier at their family compound and discovered that the burial site had been tampered with, while the deceased’s skull was missing.
The police spokesman said detectives immediately launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of a 40-year-old suspect, Ogunsola Ojo, following credible intelligence.
During interrogation, Ojo was said to have identified three alleged accomplices as Ayeloja Lattef, Azeez Rasheed and Kunle Fatai, who is currently on the run.
Ojelabi stated that a subsequent search at Fatai’s residence led investigators to an uncompleted building adjoining the house, where the suspected human skull was allegedly concealed.
“The recovered skull has been documented and registered as an exhibit, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect,” the statement said.
He added that the police had intensified investigations to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and uncover the motive behind the alleged grave desecration.
The command assured residents that the suspects already in custody would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation, while efforts continued to track down the remaining suspect.