The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 53-year-old woman and her 28-year-old son for their alleged involvement in attempted ritual activities in Ile-Oluji, within Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of the state. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Akure, noting that the arrest followed credible intelligence acted upon by operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. According to him, the operation was carried out on December 27 after a concerned resident alerted the police to a suspected ritual plot in the community. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the operatives moved to the location and foiled the alleged plan.
Jimoh said the suspects, identified as Maria, 53, and her son, Adewale, 28, were arrested at the scene, while a 10-year-old boy allegedly intended to be used for the ritual was rescued. The victim was immediately taken to a hospital for medical attention. Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that the woman allegedly conspired with her son to engage the services of a herbalist to carry out money rituals using the child. The suspects are currently in police custody and have reportedly confessed to the crime. They will be charged to court after the completion of investigations. The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, commended the operatives for their prompt response and professionalism.