The Niger State Police Command apprehended five alleged ritualists who were found with a human skull at a hotel in Bida Local Government Area, in what police characterized as a bungled money-doubling ritual plan. SP Wasiu Abiodun, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued to the media on Saturday.
Those arrested were Ahmadu Jiya, 31, from Gbafu via Enagi, and Mohammed Ndache, 70, of Nagya in Edati LGA. Abubakar Mohammed, 21, from Duma, via Lavun. Mallam Ali Mohammed, 20, from Tsyaduka via Lemu, Gbako LGA Mohammed Adamu, 25, of Edati LGA.
According to the police, the bizarre case began when Jiya allegedly exhumed the skull of his late maternal grandmother—who died at over 90 years old—in a desperate attempt to raise over N2 million to pay off mounting debts.
During police interrogation, Jiya reportedly confessed that he was advised by a self-proclaimed herbalist, 70-year-old Mohammed Ndache, who offered financial help in exchange for a human head, dead or alive.
Initially, Jiya approached his friend Mohammed Adamu to deliver the skull, but Adamu later backed out. Jiya then partnered with Abubakar Mohammed, and together they allegedly delivered the skull to Ndache for N100,000, of which N40,000 was paid as a deposit.
Further investigations revealed that the trio was introduced to another herbalist, Mallam Ali Mohammed, who promised to conduct a ritual that would double their money. However, a disagreement broke out when the suspects demanded a refund after the ritual failed to yield results.
“Mallam Ali told them to meet him at a hotel in Bida to resolve the matter,” the police spokesperson explained. “Acting on credible intelligence, operatives moved in and apprehended all five suspects at the hotel.”
The suspects are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna, where investigations are ongoing.
SP Abiodun assured the public that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, emphasizing the command’s zero tolerance for ritual practices and criminality in the state.
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