A commercial driver in Ogun State, Olumide Lawal, has recounted the horrifying events that led to the tragic death of his 16-year-old son, Wahab Lawal, who was allegedly murdered and mutilated by a suspected ritualist, Salawu Omikansola, in the Igbile Ijebu area of the state.
In an interview with PUNCH Metro on Wednesday, Lawal revealed that he had reported his son missing on July 21 after family members could not locate him. The Ogun State Police Command, through its spokesperson Omolola Odutola, later confirmed that Wahab’s decomposing body was discovered on July 23 along the expressway, with critical parts — including his head, wrists, heart, and genitals — removed.
Following investigations, the police arrested Omikansola and another suspect, Serefusi Agemo, in connection with the gruesome killing.
Narrating his ordeal, Lawal said he received a call from his mother asking about Wahab’s whereabouts. He immediately drove from Ijebu-Ode to Igbile Ijebu, and after an extensive but futile search through the community, he reported the boy’s disappearance to the police.
“On Wednesday, I left home by 4 a.m. because I couldn’t sleep. Around 2 p.m., I was told by some women that they saw clothes and sandals resembling my son’s near the bush path. I rushed there on a bike and found his mutilated corpse, with his head, wrists, heart, and private parts removed,” Lawal explained.
He notified the police about the discovery and began his own investigation. He soon learned that vigilantes had stopped a man covered in blood the same night Wahab disappeared. The man had claimed he killed a dog for someone celebrating a traditional Ogun festival, and he was allowed to go.
Eventually, Lawal tracked the suspect down with help from locals and tipped off the police, who arrested Omikansola. According to Lawal, the suspect confessed during interrogation that he killed the boy on the instruction of a traditionalist, Serefusi Agemo, who he claimed pressured him into committing the act. Serefusi, reportedly the head of Agemo worshippers in the community, was also arrested.
“He (Omikansola) said he was scared, but Serefusi told him not to be afraid. I want the government to ensure justice is served. I’ve heard Serefusi is powerful and could try to escape punishment. That must not happen,” Lawal pleaded.
As of the time this report was filed, the suspects remained in custody, and their statements had not been made public.
In a related development, PUNCH Metro also reported a similar ritual-related murder in Anambra State, where a 24-year-old woman, Somtochukwu Nwafor, was arrested in connection with the killing of a pregnant nurse in Ogbunike, Oyi LGA. The prime suspect, still at large, allegedly lured the victim under false pretenses and buried her mutilated body in a soakaway pit.
Both incidents have further sparked public outrage over the rising cases of ritual killings in Nigeria, with calls mounting for urgent government action and justice for the victims.