The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 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, disclosed this in a statement posted on the Command’s verified X handle on Thursday.
Osifeso said that 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 on board, was found with the suspected item.
“When quizzed, the suspect claimed to have bought the suspected human flesh in Lagos,” Osifeso said, adding that the case had been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, for further investigation.
He further explained that forensic analysis was being conducted on the suspected item to determine its authenticity and source.
In a separate incident, police operatives on routine stop-and-search duty flagged down a Toyota Camry with registration number LSD 957 JX. The driver allegedly abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.
“The car has been taken into custody by the Command while members of the public with legitimate claims to the vehicle are urged to come forward with verifiable documents or contact the Police Command,” Osifeso added.
The police spokesman stressed that stop-and-search operations were deliberate efforts to maintain security, not “exaggerated theatrics,” and urged continued public cooperation.
He assured that under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, the command would intensify efforts to combat crime and ensure a safer environment for residents and travellers across Oyo State.
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