A disturbing case unraveled in Ogun State as detectives arrested a 35-year-old suspect, Akeem, allegedly involved in the murder of 18-year-old student Quadri Salami from Obafemi Awolowo University. The motive behind this heinous act was the sale of body parts. Akeem confessed during an interview with the Nigerian Tribune that he learned about extracting human heads from Facebook groups.
Following technical investigation and intelligence gathering, law enforcement recovered the victim’s decomposing body parts buried in a shallow grave on December 6, 2023, at Akeem’s residence in Mile 6, Ajebo area of Abeokuta.
According to Police spokesperson SP Omolola Odutola, the victim’s father reported him missing on November 14, six days after his last sighting. Despite efforts to locate Quadri, they proved futile until the case led to Akeem, traced through the missing boy’s phone.
A chilling narrative emerged as Akeem detailed his macabre dealings. He admitted to the murder and dismemberment of the student, selling body parts to native doctors, including Ifaniyi, for sums totaling N130,000. To conceal the crime, Akeem burned clothes, discarded items, and soaked remaining body parts in alcohol, burying them until needed.
Akeem, previously a phone accessories vendor turned native doctor, confessed his grisly actions, citing the influence of Facebook groups in acquiring the knowledge to use human heads in rituals. He recounted his descent into these practices, including his acquisition of human heads from other practitioners.
The second suspect, Ifaniyi, unaware of the murder, shared his involvement, stating that he utilized the acquired human heads for rituals to improve his fortunes. He emphasized his ignorance of the origins of the body parts and his subsequent arrest before using them.
Additionally, Ahmed, the barber who knew both Akeem and the victim, recounted their interactions, unaware of Akeem’s malevolent intentions. He revealed his encounters with Akeem and his involvement in ritualistic practices, shedding light on Quadri’s disappearance.
The harrowing saga concluded with the suspects held for further investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department. The chilling tale of murder for profit, influenced by social media groups, unveils the darker implications of online influence on criminal behavior.
