The Oyo State Police have confirmed the tragic beheading of a 14-year-old boy, Malik Kareem, in Ibadan on Saturday, August 12.
The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed that an investigation is underway.
The incident, which took place in the Olorisaoko community of Akinyele Local Government Area, has left the area in shock and confusion.
News About Nigeria gathered that Kareem, who had recently completed his final exams for the West African Examination Council at Iyana Community Grammar School in Olode, Moniya, was reportedly killed for ritual purposes.
According to multiple sources, the young boy, along with three of his peers, had approached a Muslim cleric—who is now on the run—seeking a money ritual.
Unbeknownst to Kareem, the other three boys had conspired with the cleric to use him as the sacrifice for the ritual.
Upon arrival at the cleric’s home, the victim was strangled and beheaded, and his head was reportedly cremated.
“I was at home when one of my brothers ran to the house to inform me about the unfortunate incident,” a family member recounted.
“We quickly rushed down to the place to confirm it. When we got there, the Muslim cleric had already run away, but we found the victim’s lifeless body on the ground without a head.
“The other three boys had earlier bargained with the cleric that they would use their friend for a money ritual. So, when they got there, he (the victim) was strangled to death, beheaded and cremated. They will be using it to take pap every day, according to what they told us.”
In response to the incident, youths in the area reportedly set the cleric’s house ablaze.
