The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 53-year-old woman and her 28-year-old son over an alleged attempt to carry out ritual activities in Ile-Oluji, within Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of the state.
According to the police spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the suspects were arrested after operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team acted on credible intelligence received from a concerned resident. The tip-off led officers to the scene on December 27, where the alleged ritual plan was stopped before it could be carried out.
The suspects, identified as Maria and her son, Adewale, were taken into custody, while a 10-year-old boy believed to have been the intended victim was rescued. The child has since been taken to a hospital for medical care and observation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the woman allegedly conspired with her son to involve a herbalist in a money ritual scheme. Police say both suspects have confessed and will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
Commending the officers for their swift response, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, stressed the importance of intelligence-led policing in preventing crime. He also warned parents against embracing get-rich-quick practices, urging them instead to instil values of hard work, discipline, and integrity in their children.
The police have called on residents to remain vigilant and continue to report suspicious activities, noting that community cooperation remains key to ensuring safety across Ondo State.
