Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that the suspects allegedly conspired to engage the services of a herbalist to carry out money ritual activities using the boy.
A 53-year-old woman and her son have been arrested by the Ondo State Police Command over an alleged attempt to use a 10-year-old boy for money ritual purposes in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State.
The suspects, identified simply as Maria and her 28-year-old son, Adewale, were apprehended in Ile-Oluji, headquarters of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area, following a tip-off from a concerned resident who reported suspicious ritual-related activities.
Confirming the arrest in a statement issued on Saturday in Akure, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said operatives of the Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit carried out the operation on December 27.
According to Jimoh, the timely intervention of the police foiled the alleged ritual plan and led to the rescue of the 10-year-old boy who was reportedly intended to be used for the ritual.
“The operation led to the arrest of two suspects identified as Maria (female, 53 years) and Adewale (male, 28 years), while a 10-year-old boy, who was allegedly intended to be used for the ritual, was successfully rescued, ” the statement read.
He added that the rescued child has been taken to a hospital for medical examination and treatment.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that the suspects allegedly conspired to engage the services of a herbalist to carry out money ritual activities using the boy.
“The suspects are currently in police custody, where they reportedly confessed to the crime. They will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” Jimoh stated.
The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, commended the SWAT operatives for their swift response and professionalism, stressing the importance of intelligence-led policing in preventing crime.
Lawal reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, while also cautioning parents against involvement in criminal activities.
“The CP advised mothers to refrain from engaging in nefarious acts and instead, serve as positive role models to their children,” Jimoh said.
He further warned parents to discourage their children from the “get-rich-quick” mentality and to instill values of hard work, diligence, and integrity.
The police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies, noting that community cooperation is essential to achieving a safer society.