Oyo State police have arrested a pastor and two others in Ibadan for the alleged possession and sale of human parts, following a stop-and-search operation by the State Command.
According to a statement on Tuesday, signed by Police Public Relations Officer Ayanlade Olayinka, the suspects were apprehended following a stop-and-search operation along the Adekile area of Agugu, where a patrol team intercepted an unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycle.
“During a search of the pillion, the rider was apprehended on the spot, and a package containing flesh suspected to be human parts (intestine) was recovered,” the statement said.
Following the seizure, the statement added, “The apprehended pillion rider, identified as Oyategbe Joseph, male, of Ibadan, was interrogated.
“He confessed that he had obtained the suspected human parts from an unknown individual at the Oritaperin area and further admitted to selling the items to two persons: Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo, male, aged 46 years, and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo, male, aged 55 years.
“Acting promptly on this intelligence, the Command swiftly apprehended Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo and brought them to the station for interrogation. Both suspects confessed to purchasing the suspected human parts from Oyategbe Joseph.”
The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a “discreet and thorough investigation,” and that all suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of inquiries.
All three suspects remain in police custody. The Oyo State Police Command urged the public to remain vigilant and report any information regarding the possession or sale of human parts to the nearest police station, stressing that community cooperation is critical in maintaining law and order.
Packaged by Temitope Afolabi
