Residents of Kulanla Odomoola, Ogun State, were left in shock on Saturday after a suspected human parts trafficker, identified only as Gani, confessed to a decade-long trade in selling human body parts.
Gani, who was apprehended by troops from the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army during a routine patrol, had reportedly been on his way to deliver a body part to a prospective buyer when he was stopped. His arrest came just in time to prevent what could have been a lynching by an angry mob that had surrounded him.
In his confessional statement, Gani openly admitted that for the past ten years, he had been profiting from selling human body parts. He revealed that he sourced the parts primarily from cemeteries, where he dug up freshly buried corpses, and from bodies abandoned along roadsides.
“I have been surviving on selling human parts for the last 10 years,” Gani said. “I dig up most of the parts I sell from newly dug graves in cemeteries, while I get others from corpses abandoned by the roadsides.” His confession sent waves of anger and disbelief through the local community. Many residents demanded that justice be served swiftly.
Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 81 Division, confirmed the arrest on Sunday. He praised the troops for their swift intervention, which helped prevent the mob from taking matters into their own hands.
“The troops rescued the suspect from an angry mob who attempted to lynch him,” Ayeni stated. “His arrest is in line with the Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensuring the security of the lives and property of Nigerians.”
After his arrest, Gani, along with evidence recovered from him, was handed over to the Nigerian police at Noforija for further investigation and prosecution. The police are now conducting an in-depth investigation into the case, with hopes of uncovering further details about Gani’s network and illegal activities.
The incident has left the community in shock and raised serious concerns about the growing issue of human parts trafficking in the region.
