The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a trainee herbalist, Ifagbenga Taiwo, over the gruesome killing of his 41-day-old son, allegedly for ritual purposes, in the Keesi area of Adatan, Abeokuta.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday, December 9, 2024. According to reports, the baby’s mother, Raimat Wasilat, had placed her infant son, Ifakorede Ajani, on a bed inside their home while she washed clothes outside. When she returned, she was met with a horrifying scene—the lifeless body of her son lying in a pool of blood with his throat slit.
Her cries for help quickly drew the attention of neighbors, who rushed to the scene. One resident recounted,
“We heard some noise and came to check. When we entered, we saw that someone had entered through the wooden window and slit the baby’s throat.”
Another witness, Mukaila Olaide, the maternal grandfather of the baby, shared,
“We were sitting some distance from the house when we heard the noise. That’s what led us to rush down and find the baby had been slaughtered.”
The baby’s mother accused her husband, Ifagbenga Taiwo, of the heinous act, alleging he intended to use their child’s blood for rituals. This accusation prompted the police to arrest Taiwo.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, stating,
“At around 2:00 PM, we received a report from the Iteesi Itoko area about the killing of a two-month-old infant. The mother strongly suspects her husband, a trainee herbalist, of committing this act for ritual purposes.”
Odutola revealed that police officers had secured the crime scene and transported the infant’s body for autopsy. She assured the public that a thorough investigation was ongoing to uncover the full details of this horrifying crime.
The case has sent shockwaves through the community, as neighbors and family members struggle to comprehend the tragic loss of such a young life. The Ogun State Police Command has vowed to ensure justice is served.
