Man Arrested with Human Skull in Ogun State

Ogun State Police have arrested a man found in possession of a human skull, sparking concerns over ritual-related activities in the region.

The So-Safe Corps, officially known as the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, apprehended a middle-aged man at a tomb in Kere, Obada-Oko, Abeokuta. He was allegedly attempting to exhume a human skull.

The event took place at approximately 2:35 a.m. on January 21, 2025, while So-Safe Corps officers were conducting a routine patrol. As per the statement released by Corps Commander Soji Ganzallo through Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf, Director of Information and Public Relations, the suspect was apprehended in flagrante delicto and identified as 54-year-old Adelani Oriyomi.

Officers noticed unusual activity on a plot of land situated behind a church. They spotted Oriyomi attempting to hide, but he resumed digging the tomb once he believed no one was watching. The officers returned and arrested him before he could get away.

Ganzallo disclosed that the suspect, a resident of Kere in Obada-Oko within the Ewekoro Local Government Area, admitted to committing the crime during questioning.

Oriyomi confessed that he had unearthed a skull from a grave located on the land behind his home on January 18, 2025.

He admitted that he was currently trying to obtain another skull to reach the required number for a money ritual called Osole.

Oriyomi also revealed that he had concealed the first skull in his room.

The suspect also admitted to being an experienced offender, having previously sold close to ten skulls.

He disclosed that past arrests for a similar offense in Ado-Odo resulted in two years of imprisonment, followed by an additional six years and nine months at the Oba Correctional Center after another conviction in Obada-Oko.

Commander Ganzallo confirmed that the suspect and the recovered item— a completely dried human skull — have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at Obada Divisional Headquarters for further investigation and potential prosecution.

In his statements, Ganzallo encouraged community leaders to carefully vet tenants and visitors in order to avoid accommodating undesirable individuals.

He highlighted that maintaining vigilance could account for 70% of home security, with the remaining 30% dependent on being alert to external threats.