The Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Police has paraded 32-year-old Azeez, who confessed to being part of a ritualist gang specialising in killing women for money.
Azeez’s arrest came after the State Command apprehended and paraded other gang members, including Moses Abidemi Awuraji, Oluwo Samuel Monday, Peter Oluwalolese, Jamiu Yusuf, Akinwunmi Ifatosin, Sheriff Agbai, and Osojieahen Alioneitouria.
All were accused of the terrible act of murdering 35-year-old Sulaimon Adijat for money rituals using the ‘hookup’ app.
Abiodun Alamutu, the State Commissioner of Police, said that ritualist, who had been eluding arrest, was apprehended on February 23 from his hideout.
Alamutu revealed Azeez’s participation with Awuraji, a herbalist, in strangling the victims to death.
The dismembered body parts were allegedly sold to Oluwo Monday Samuel and Alfa Ariwo (who remain at large) for ceremonial purposes.
Alamutu added, “The three suspects confessed to the killing of ten different ladies at the Igbo Olomi residence of Moses Abidemi.”
The ritualist, narrating his modus operandi, explained, “I got the ladies from MyChat, a hookup app. When contacted by Awuraji, I’d negotiate with the victims on the app, finalise the deal, and provide my address in Atan-Ota.”
“I would pick them up and transport them to Awuraji’s house, where we executed the heinous act.
“I do not know the ultimate purpose of the group; my role was merely to source victims through ‘hookup’ and collect payment.”
“Abidemi’s wife (Awuraji Mariam) will pin their legs down while I strangle them. I joined the gang in September 2023, and we have killed seven ladies. These were the ladies that I brought to the house that we killed.
“I don’t know what they use the corpses of the ladies for. My job is just to scout for the ladies from the ‘hookup’ app and bring them in. They don’t usually tell me the amount they will give; at times, they pay me N30,000; other times, they give me N40,000.
“I can’t say no to them whenever they ask me to bring the ladies. I don’t know who they sell the body parts to, and I don’t ask them about it.”
While assuring the public that investigations were continuing to locate additional potential casualties, Alamutu advised anyone with missing relatives to contact the police and provide images for aid.
He added, “The shocking revelations from Azeez’s confession have sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and awareness regarding online interactions.”
“Authorities are working tirelessly to bring justice to the victims and their families while dismantling the ritualist gang responsible for these horrifying crimes.”
