Cynthia Ezegwu
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested an Islamic cleric, identified as Alfa Bashiru, for allegedly being in possession of suspected human flesh.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the arrest in a statement posted on the Command’s verified X handle on Wednesday.
According to him, operatives of the Federal Highway Patrol intercepted a white bus with registration number XA 551 IRG at the Toll Gate axis of the Ibadan Expressway around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The cleric, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was allegedly found with the suspected human parts.
Osifeso stated that upon interrogation, the suspect claimed to have purchased the item in Lagos. He added that the suspect has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, for further investigation.
“The suspected item is undergoing forensic analysis to determine its authenticity and source,” Osifeso said.
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In a separate development, the Command reported that its operatives recovered an abandoned Toyota Camry with registration number LSD 957 JX during a routine stop-and-search operation.
The police spokesman explained that the driver of the vehicle fled on sighting the operatives, leaving the car behind. He said the vehicle has been taken into custody, and urged anyone with legitimate ownership claims to come forward with verifiable documents or contact the Command.
Osifeso reiterated that stop-and-search operations in the state were not “exaggerated security theatrics” but deliberate efforts to maintain law and order, safeguard lives, and ensure the safety of residents and travellers.
He assured the public that the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, remained committed to strengthening security across Oyo State.