2 arrested over ritual killing of missing 16-year-old boy

Two suspects are now in police custody in connection with the gruesome killing of 16-year-old Wahab Lawal, whose body was found mutilated in what police believe was a ritual-related murder.

According to the Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, the young boy had been living with his grandmother when his father, Mr. Olumide Lawal, reported him missing.

“Tragically, on July 23rd, his lifeless and decomposed body was discovered along the Old Express Road, Igbile-Ijebu,” Odutola said in a statement issued Saturday in Abeokuta.

She added that a preliminary inspection of the corpse revealed disturbing signs: the victim’s head, wrists, heart, and genitals had been removed — a pattern that suggested ritual motives.

Odutola said police officers from the Omu-Ijebu Division moved quickly based on reliable intelligence and arrested suspects believed to be linked to the killing.

She noted that during interrogation, one of the suspects allegedly made a voluntary confession, which was recorded on video.

The body of the deceased has since been buried in line with Islamic rites due to its state of decomposition.

Odutola confirmed that the case file and relevant exhibits are being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further in-depth investigation.

Efforts are ongoing to track down other suspects who are still on the run, she said.

“The command condemns the heinous act and assures the public that justice would be pursued to its logical conclusion.The command urges the citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police formation,” she added.