The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) has arrested a 54-year-old man, Adelani Oriyomi, for allegedly attempting to exhume a human skull at a tomb in Kere, Obada-Oko, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Commander of So-Safe Corps, Dr. Soji Ganzallo, through the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf.
The statement said that officers of the corps on routine patrol, arrested the suspect on Tuesday at about 2:35 am, after they noticed suspicious activity on a parcel of land behind a church.
He asserted that Oriyomi, a resident of Kere, Obada-Oko in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state, confessed to the crime, adding that the suspect also admitted to having exhumed a skull from a tomb near his home on January 18, 2025.
“The suspect, identified as 54-year-old Adelani Oriyomi, was initially seen trying to conceal himself. Once he thought the area was clear, he resumed digging at the tomb to allegedly retrieve a human skull. The officers returned to the scene and apprehended him before he could escape.
“During interrogation, Oriyomi, a resident of Kere, Obada-Oko in Ewekoro Local Government Area, confessed to the crime. He admitted to having exhumed a skull from a tomb near his home on January 18, 2025.
“He revealed that the skull was part of a ritual preparation known as Osole and that he was attempting to retrieve another skull to complete the required number.
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“The suspect further disclosed that he had hidden the first skull in his room and confessed to being a repeat offender. Oriyomi admitted to selling nearly 10 skulls in the past, stating that he had previously served two years in prison following his arrest for similar offenses in Ado-Odo.
“He also revealed that he spent an additional six years and nine months at the Oba Correctional Centre after another conviction in Obada-Oko,” Ganzallo said.
The corps commander confirmed that Oriyomi and the recovered exhibit, a fully dried human skull have been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
Ganzallo urged community leaders to be vigilant in screening tenants and visitors to prevent harbouring individuals involved in such activities. He emphasized that proactive community efforts could significantly enhance security.