SHOCKING! See How Cleric Butchered 7- Year- Old Boy, Buries Head At Church’s Altar, Sold His Body Parts For Ritual
9 June 2017 Tension gripped the Odokekere area of Ikorodu, Ogun State, following the gruesome discovery of a seven- year- old boy’ s dismembered body inside an uncompleted church building. The victim, Kazeem Rafiu, was reported missing the previous day, and the tragic turn of events sent shockwaves through the community.
The main suspect in this horrifying incident is a self- proclaimed prophet known only as Eri Imole, a close family friend of the boy’ s parents. Imole had recently established a white- garment church in the area, just two months prior to the incident. According to reports, it was in this very church building that Kazeem’ s mutilated body was found, sparking outrage among local residents.
The boy’ s mother, Mrs. Tawakalitu Rafiu, had reportedly left Kazeem and his five siblings in the care of a co- tenant at their residence on Sotunyo Street, Soso Bus Stop, as she went out on Wednesday. When she returned later that day, Kazeem was missing. Concerned, she began making inquiries, only to learn that the so- called prophet had been seen leading the boy away to his church. Unbeknownst to Imole, one of Kazeem’ s siblings witnessed him taking the boy.
SHOCKING! See How Cleric Butchered 7- Year- Old Boy, Buries Head At Church’s Altar, Sold His Body Parts For Ritual | image 5
A source, who preferred to remain anonymous, disclosed that the prophet’ s suspicious behavior later that night led to his capture. In the early hours of the following day, local vigilantes stopped Imole as he wandered near the community. When questioned, the so- called prophet’ s evasive responses raised alarm, and he was handed over to the Community Development Authority (CDA).
SHOCKING! See How Cleric Butchered 7- Year- Old Boy, Buries Head At Church’s Altar, Sold His Body Parts For Ritual | image 9
SHOCKING! See How Cleric Butchered 7- Year- Old Boy, Buries Head At Church’s Altar, Sold His Body Parts For Ritual | image 12
During interrogation, Imole confessed to a chilling plot. He admitted that he had sold the boy for N130, 000 to an accomplice, who planned to use Kazeem’ s body for ritual purposes at the First Gate area of Ikorodu. Imole provided further details, revealing that the ritual was set to take place at 4 a. m. Based on this information, the local police at the Ogijo Division were immediately alerted. However, despite the urgency, they did not arrive at the scene until after 4 a. m. , potentially delaying their intervention.
Following the prophet’ s confession, another man, identified as Adedoyin Oyekanmi, was arrested. He also admitted his involvement in the crime, further revealing that Kazeem’ s dismembered remains were hidden at the church building in Oju- Odo. Shockingly, an eyewitness, Madam Idiat Akani, recounted that when police officers arrived at the church, they discovered Kazeem’ s head buried in a shallow grave, while other parts of his body had been stuffed into a polythene bag.
The discovery of the boy’ s remains led to a public outcry, and by dawn, a large crowd had gathered at the Ogijo Division police station, where the suspects were being held. Tensions continued to mount as the community awaited further developments in the investigation. Although the station’ s Divisional Police Officer (DPO) declined to comment, a senior police officer confirmed that both suspects had confessed to the boy’ s murder. According to the officer, the suspects were part of a larger group of ritualists operating within the Ikorodu area.
The horrifying nature of the crime incited anger among local residents, and their frustration culminated in the burning of the prophet’ s uncompleted church building. Women in the community also marched to the palace of the local Baale (community leader), Chief Ajose Olowu, demanding justice for the slain boy. The protesters accused the authorities of failing to act swiftly enough to prevent the tragedy and expressed fears that the matter might be swept under the rug.
In response, Baale Olowu sought to calm the situation, assuring the aggrieved residents that justice would be served. He acknowledged that he had only just returned to the community when he learned of the tragic events. ” I was away on Wednesday but returned today (yesterday) to hear about the development, and I went straight to the police station, ” he said. ” Let me state clearly that this matter will not be swept under the carpet. I promise to do everything within my power to ensure that the police conduct a thorough investigation and bring those responsible to justice. ”
As investigations continue, the tragic death of young Kazeem has left the Odokekere community reeling, with residents calling for increased vigilance and security to prevent further occurrences of such heinous acts. The case also sheds light on the dark and dangerous underbelly of ritual killings in the region, an issue that has plagued parts of Nigeria for years.
