Biodun in Benin: Mother Conspires With Stepfather, One Other To Use Son For Ritual In Ogun

By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA

Wonders shall never end as mother conspired with her new husband, and one other to use her seven year old son for ritual purpose in Ogun State.

The mother of the boy, Adetutu Apalaya and her husband, Lajuwon Ogunleye, who is a herbalist, and one other conspirator, Fatai Sefiu were already cooling their nerves in police custody after being arrested.

DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command stated this in statement made available to journalists on Saturday that the suspects were arrested following an information received by the police at Abigi divisional headquarters.

“That a seven year old boy, Pelumi Apalaya, who did not show any sign of sickness suddenly slumped and died and this arouse the suspicion of people around that the boy might have been used for ritual.

“Upon their suspicion, the people around started monitoring the herbalist who incidentally happened to be the stepfather of the deceased boy and his wife, who is the mother of the boy.

“Unknown to them, they were monitored to the bush where they took the victim to for burial in company of the third suspect who is a friend to the herbalist and the boy was buried in an upright position after removing some parts from his corpse. This confirmed the suspicion of the people and they quickly informed the police.

“Upon the information, the DPO Abigi division, SP Tarkighir Joseph led his men to the bush in Iwopin area of Ijebu-Waterside where the suspects were rounded up. They led policemen to where the victim was buried and it was discovered that the deceased was buried in standing position.

“On interrogation, the second suspect Sefiu told the detectives that the boy was actually used for ritual by the stepfather in connivance with the deceased boy’s mother. He added that the couple have reached a conclusion before he was co-opted into the business.

“The mother of the victim Adetutu Apalaya who first denied having knowledge of her husband plan to use her son for ritual was dumbfounded when asked whether or not she followed them to the bush where her son was buried and the mode of burial of the boy.”

Meanwhile, the commissioner of police CP Kenneth Ebrimson has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to homicide section of the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for further investigation and prosecution.