The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two individuals, Ridwan Bello and Fatai Adeleke, in connection with the possession and trade of human body parts.
According to a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, the arrest followed an intelligence-led operation by detectives from the Iyaganku Divisional Police Headquarters.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, March 18, 2025, led officers to the residence of Ridwan Bello, 35, also known as Asalailu, in the Muslim area of Ibadan.
During a thorough search, police recovered a female human torso, dismembered limbs, dried bones, and other remains concealed in bags and a paint bucket.
During interrogation, Bello confessed to exhuming the corpse from a cemetery in Awa-Ijebu, located in the Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
He further admitted to selling the body parts to ritualists and led investigators to the cemetery, where his claims were confirmed.
Further investigation resulted in the arrest of 70-year-old Fatai Adeleke, identified as a buyer of the human parts.
Adeleke also admitted to being involved in the illegal trade for ritual purposes.
The case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further inquiries.
Police authorities have pledged to intensify efforts to track down other individuals linked to the crime.
The command also urged cemetery managers across the state to enhance surveillance measures to prevent future cases of grave desecration and illicit activities involving human remains.