Ondo Police Arrest Mother, Son Over Foiled Money Ritual Plot

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 53-year-old woman and her 28-year-old son over an alleged conspiracy to carry out a money ritual in Ile-Oluji, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Maria and her son, Adewale, were apprehended following actionable intelligence received by operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Akure that the planned ritual was foiled on December 27 after a concerned resident alerted the police to suspicious activity.

According to Jimoh, the swift intervention of the operatives led to the arrest of the two suspects and the successful rescue of a 10-year-old boy who was allegedly intended to be used for the ritual. The child has since been taken to a hospital for medical evaluation and care.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the woman allegedly conspired with her son to engage the services of a herbalist to carry out the ritual in pursuit of illicit wealth. The police said both suspects are currently in custody and have reportedly confessed to their involvement. They are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Commending the operatives for their professionalism and rapid response, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, stressed the importance of intelligence-led policing in preventing crime. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Ondo State.

The police chief also cautioned parents against engaging in criminal activities and urged them to serve as positive role models for their children. He warned against the growing “get-rich-quick” mentality, advising families to instill values of hard work, integrity, diligence and perseverance.

The police further called on members of the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies, noting that collective responsibility is essential to building a safer society.