The Osun State Police Command has paraded some suspected ritualists, who specialise in duping and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public under the pretence of being herbalists.
The young suspects-Yusuf Taofeek, 21, and Jimoh Sheriff, 20, were paraded on Wednesday by the state Commissioner of Police, Adeoye Fimihan, at the Force headquarters in Osogbo.
Fimihan said the suspects were arrested on October 6, 2017, upon a tip-off by some vigilant residents of Jamodo junction, Ifon-Osun, where their shrine was uncovered by the police.
He said police operatives got a hint that some cultists /ritualists with code name “ZONE II” (Two) at Jamodo junction, Ifon-Osun, headed by one Sehidu Aliu, also known as ‘Alaga,’ who is currently at large, usually assembled at their den.
He said they brandished guns and cutlasses before their victims. It was disclosed that most of the victims of the suspects were those who patronised them for money rituals.
According to the police boss, “The syndicates specialise in duping and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public under the pretence of being herbalists and to make money rituals for them.
“Investigation led to the discovery of their den/shrine at Isangbe Village in Ifon-Osun, where outrageous number of statues made of cement, carved wood, foams, assorted charms, cloths, empty schnapps bottles used for sacrifice and some containing snakes and lizards, to the purported Sango (god of thunder).
“One of the movable statues was removed to be tendered as exhibit. Also arrested is Yusuf Taofeek, 21, met hiding in the ceiling of the house of Sehidu Aliu, aka Alaga, the zone II gang leader, with a cutlass.
“Other items recovered from the suspects are one unregistered Toyota Camry saloon car and two Bajaj boxer motorcycles. Fifteen other members of the syndicate are at large. Investigation is ongoing.
“We appreciate members of the public for their cooperation and we appeal that they continue to give us useful information that could help in making Osun a crime-free state.”
