The Oyo State Police Command has detained 10 people suspected of dealing in human body parts, following an intelligence-driven operation that led to the recovery of suspected human remains and ritual items.
The suspects were apprehended at different locations in Iseyin and Saki after months of intelligence gathering and discreet surveillance by the command’s monitoring unit.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued in Ibadan on Saturday.
According to him, police operatives searched the suspects’ hideouts after making the arrests and recovered several items believed to be human parts.
“Following their arrest, operatives conducted searches of the suspects’ hideouts, during which several suspected human parts were recovered.
“The exhibits include one suspected human heart, human flesh, pieces of human skull and assorted charms,” he said.
Ayanlade said the recovered exhibits had been secured for forensic analysis as investigators continued to probe the case.
He added that the suspects were helping detectives establish where the items came from, how they were obtained and what they were intended to be used for.
The police spokesman said the investigation had also been expanded, with operatives working to track down other individuals allegedly linked to the suspected syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Abimbola Olugbenga, praised the officers involved in the operation for their diligence and professionalism.
Ayanlade quoted the commissioner as assuring residents that the command would continue its efforts to dismantle criminal networks and safeguard human life across the state.
