Police Arrest 42-Year-Old Man Over Alleged Exhumation, Mutilation Of Corpse In Osun

The Osun State Police Command has arrested a 42-year-old man, identified as Babalola Saheed, over the alleged exhumation and mutilation of the corpse of a 22-year-old woman, Rukibat Babatunde, in Iwo, Osun State.

The police said the incident involved the alleged severing of the deceased’s head and left arm after her burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the deceased’s father had reported her death following a brief illness on October 12, 2026.

The statement said the deceased was buried on the same day at Olomo’s Compound, Feesun area of Iwo, in accordance with Islamic rites.

However, the family was reportedly thrown into distress after discovering that the grave had allegedly been dug up at about 2 a.m., with the deceased’s head and left arm severed by unidentified individuals.

Following the report, police operatives commenced an investigation into the incident, leading to the arrest of Saheed, who was identified as the principal suspect.

The police said the suspect confessed to his involvement in the incident during interrogation, while efforts were ongoing to arrest two other suspects who were still at large.

The Command added that the severed head and left arm had been recovered and handed over to the deceased’s father for reburial in accordance with the family’s religious rites.

It also disclosed that a cutlass allegedly used in severing the body parts had been recovered as an exhibit in the ongoing investigation.

The police said the arrested suspect would be charged before a competent court, while efforts had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing accomplices.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Zungura, condemned the alleged act and assured residents that the Command would pursue the investigation diligently to ensure that all those connected with the incident were brought to justice.

The police also called on members of the public with useful information about the incident or the whereabouts of the fleeing suspects to report to the nearest police station.

The Command urged residents to remain calm and allow the law to take its course as investigations continued.