Lagos Police Arrest Four Suspects for Possession and Sale of Human Body Parts
Men of the Lagos State Police Command have apprehended four suspects over their alleged involvement in the possession and sale of human body parts within the state. The arrests, which occurred in March, were carried out by detectives from the Adeniji Adele Divisional Police Station, targeting individuals aged 34, 44, 46, and 48 years old.
Principal Suspect Intercepted with Human Remains
The principal suspect, a 46-year-old man described as the alleged supplier of the human parts, was intercepted during a stop-and-search operation on Bamgbose Street in the Lagos Island area. Police sources confirmed that he was found in possession of suspected human body parts at the time of his arrest.
According to a police source who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the suspect claimed he obtained the deceased body from under the Adeniji Adele bridge. He detailed his method of searching for dead bodies and collecting abandoned human remains from various locations across Lagos State.
Confession Reveals Gruesome Trade Details
The suspect confessed to cutting the bodies into pieces for sale, revealing that he sells human parts for N10,000 to buyers who use them for ritual purposes. Additionally, he admitted to using the bodies to prepare black soap, which he markets to individuals seeking spiritual benefits such as God's mercy, good luck, and favor.
This confession proved crucial, leading to the apprehension of the other three suspects, who were identified as buyers in this illegal trade. These individuals admitted to purchasing human parts and flesh, noting that the parts were supplied through a network of accomplices, some of whom remain at large.
Police Investigation and Next Steps
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatal Tijani, has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti for further investigation. The corpse recovered from the principal suspect has been deposited in a morgue as part of the ongoing inquiry.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about ritual-related crimes in the region, with authorities emphasizing their commitment to tackling such illegal activities through rigorous law enforcement efforts.
