The Oyo State Police Command has arrested an Islamic cleric, identified as Alfa Bashiru, for allegedly being in possession of what is believed to be human flesh.
The arrest was made by officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol during a routine stop-and-search operation at the Toll Gate axis of the Ibadan Expressway around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, the suspect was travelling in a white Mitsubishi bus with registration number XA 551 IRG when he was intercepted by the patrol team.
Upon inspection, officers discovered a suspicious substance in the vehicle. Preliminary questioning of the suspect reportedly led to a shocking revelation.
“During interrogation, the suspect, Alfa Bashiru, allegedly confessed that he purchased the suspected human flesh in Lagos,” Osifeso said in a statement released via the Command’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Following the discovery, the suspect was immediately taken into custody, and the case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Iyaganku, Ibadan, for further investigation.
The police spokesperson confirmed that the substance has been sent to forensic experts for analysis to determine its authenticity and origin.
“The recovered substance has been sent for forensic analysis to ascertain its authenticity and origin,” Osifeso added.
The incident has sparked concern among residents and raised fresh questions about the illegal trade and use of human body parts, which has long been linked to ritual activities in parts of the country.
The Oyo State Police Command assured the public that a full and thorough investigation is underway, and that the suspect will be prosecuted according to the law if found guilty.
As of the time of filing this report, the suspect remains in police custody, while authorities await the outcome of the forensic tests.
