POLICE DISCOVER RITUALIST DEN IN OSUN

Nigerian police personnel in Lagos File photo: Facebook

The Osun state Police Command has discovered a ritualists' den at Jamodo Junction, Ifon-Osun area of the state.

Commissioner of Police Olafimihan Adeoye, who paraded the suspects, said they were arrested on October 6, 2017, following a tip-off and investigations.

He said one Sehidu Aliu, also known as 'Alaga,' who is now on the run, is leader of the suspected ritualists.

Fimiham added that the suspects, who usually assemble at the shrine,  brandished dangerous weapons, such as guns and cutlasses, to threaten their victims to submission.

"The syndicate specialises in duping and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public under the pretence of being herbalists that can make money rituals for them," he said.

"Investigations led to the discovery of their den and shrine at Isangbe village, in Ifon-Osun, where outrageous numbers of statues made of cement, carved wood, foams, assorted charms, cloths, empty Schnapps bottles used for sacrifice were found. Some contain snakes and lizards  for the purported Sango.

"One of the moveable statues with a feminine stature was removed from the shrine, to be tendered as exhibit. Sherif confessed that he belonged to Zone II notorious gang headed by Aliu as well as a cult and ritualists group led by Alhaji Afisu Olanipekun. He added that they made up to N500,000 altogether from the operations."