Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have uncovered a chilling ritual plot, arresting a 53-year-old woman and her 28-year-old son for an attempted human sacrifice.
The suspects, identified as Maria (53) and her son, Adewale (28), were apprehended in the Ile-Oluji area following a high-stakes intervention by the Police SWAT Tactical Team. The duo reportedly conspired to use a 10-year-old boy for a “money ritual” and had already engaged the services of an herbalist to facilitate the crime.
Acting on a timely tip-off from a vigilant citizen, the SWAT team stormed the location on Saturday, January 3, 2026, foiling the ritual before it could be completed. The young victim was rescued and immediately transported to a hospital for medical evaluation.
Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed that the suspects confessed to the plan during interrogation. “Preliminary investigations reveal a conspiracy between the mother and son to use the minor for financial gain,” Abayomi stated.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, commended the tactical team for their swift, intelligence-led response. He issued a stern warning to parents, particularly mothers, to serve as moral anchors for their children rather than leading them into depravity.
“The ‘get-rich-quick’ mentality is a plague,” Lawal remarked. “Parents must instill values of hard work and integrity instead of seeking blood money.”
The suspects remain in custody and are scheduled to be charged in court once the investigation is concluded. This arrest comes as the Command continues to implement reforms backed by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, aimed at improving policing efficiency across the state.