The Ogun State Police Command has reportedly recovered human body parts hidden in buildings operating under the guise of Cherubim and Seraphim Church parishes in Kobape town and along Abiola Way in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The grim discovery followed the arrest of three suspects, Sunday Akintobi, Oladimeji Olaniran, and Isaiah Tijani, who were arrested on April 22 in separate locations across Abeokuta.
The suspects were allegedly found in possession of various human parts.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed the details of the incident in an interview with PUNCH on Friday.
She revealed that the arrests were made by operatives of the command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, acting on credible intelligence.
“On April 22, 2025, at about 8am, operatives of the Ogun State Police Command, through its SWAT unit, acted on credible intelligence and apprehended one Sunday Akintobi (36), a resident of the Itoku area in Abeokuta, suspected of trading in human body parts,” Odutola was quoted as saying.
She further stated that ongoing investigations led to the arrest of two additional suspects, Oladimeji Olaniran (40) and Isaiah Tijani (38), and that searches conducted at their residences led to the discovery of skeletal remains and other human parts.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of two additional individuals: Oladimeji Olaniran (male, 40 years) and Isaiah Tijani (male, 38 years).
“A search of their residences led to the recovery of body parts believed to be human remains,” Odutola stated.
According to Odutola, some of these remains were found concealed within buildings falsely posing as religious centers, particularly Cherubim and Seraphim Church parishes located in Kobape and along Abiola Way.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, has since ordered a thorough and discreet investigation to uncover the full extent of the suspects’ activities.
Forensic experts have been deployed to examine the recovered remains and verify claims made during interrogations.
“As a friendly force, the Ogun State Police Command urges the public to refrain from shielding criminal elements and to provide timely and credible information to security agencies,” Odutola appealed.
The police also issued a warning to families and communities to take measures in securing the gravesites of their loved ones, as grave robbery appears to be part of the growing concerns surrounding ritual-related crimes in the region.
CP Ogunlowo, reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling violent crimes, emphasized that every effort would be made to bring those involved to justice and prevent further desecration of human dignity.
“Such cooperation is crucial in curbing ritual killings and other violent crimes in the state,” Odutola stated.
She also noted that the CP, who ”remained resolute to stem the tide of crimes”, had mandated expert forensic examinations in line with confessions made by the suspects.
“He (CP Ogunlowo) has also made it clear that relatives of deceased should secure graveyards of their loved ones in the best way possible to repress grave robbers,” Odutola said.
The suspects are currently in custody, and further updates are expected as investigations progress.
