The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a man believed to be an Islamic cleric, identified as Alfa Bashiru, after he was allegedly found with a substance suspected to be human flesh.
The arrest happened on Wednesday, September 17, when officers of the Federal Highway Patrol team intercepted a white bus with registration number XA 551 IRG at the Toll Gate axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway around 11:30 a.m.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, the suspect was questioned at the scene and reportedly admitted that he bought the flesh in Lagos.
“The suspected item is undergoing forensic analysis to determine its authenticity and source,” Osifeso stated in a press release shared on the Command’s verified X handle.
The case has now been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, Ibadan, for further investigation.
Separate Operation: Abandoned Vehicle Recovered
In another incident, Oyo police operatives recovered an abandoned Toyota Camry (LSD 957 JX) during a Stop-and-Search operation. Officers had flagged the vehicle down, but the driver reportedly abandoned the car and fled the scene.
The vehicle has since been taken into police custody. Authorities are calling on anyone with legitimate claims to the car to come forward with proof of ownership.
Police Reassure Public
CSP Osifeso stressed that Stop-and-Search operations are not “exaggerated security theatrics” but vital measures to ensure public safety and deter criminal activities across the state.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, appreciates the cooperation of residents and assured the public of the Command’s continued efforts to combat crime and maintain order.
This case has sparked shock and concern among Nigerians, especially given the sensitive nature of the alleged crime. Forensic results are expected to shed more light on the authenticity of the suspected human flesh and its origins.
