In a dramatic turn of events, the Ekiti State Police Command has apprehended a 23-year-old man, Solomon Fabiyi, for trying to employ his seven-year-old nephew, Jomiloju, as a victim for a money ritual. The incident occurred on February 14, 2025, when Fabiyi was halted by police men while attempting the heinous crime. Fabiyi, residing in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, lives in the same house as his parents and his young nephew, the accused in this instance.

The police spokesperson, SP Sunday Abutu, explained that Fabiyi was apprehended after receiving a tip-off which prompted the police to intercept him at about 7:00 PM on the said day. The suspect had been described as being in the process of performing the ritual on his nephew in exchange for prosperity. Abutu was able to confirm that Fabiyi already confessed to the crime and had been appropriately arraigned in court.

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Fabiyi was arrested after the shocking expose. During his interrogation, the suspect confessed to being instructed by a local herbalist to go looking for somebody to use in the ritual. Fabiyi told police that he had been advised by the herbalist that the kid would survive but would forever remain sick. Fabiyi stated that he chose his nephew for the ritual with the intention of getting money out of the sacrifice while ensuring the boy, ill as he was, would receive an education and have a “good life.”

In a surprising turn of events, the same herbalist who allegedly led Fabiyi astray turned out to be a whistleblower. After discovering that Fabiyi had taken his nephew to be subjected to the ritual, the herbalist apparently approached the authorities. Through this prompt action, the authorities were able to arrest Fabiyi quickly before the child could be harmed.

There was a viral video on social media where Fabiyi openly owned up to his act, stating that the herbalist instructed him to select a person for the ritual. Fabiyi continued in the video to state that the herbalist had told him that the child would not die but would be happy with an illness for the rest of his life. Although his intentions were as sincere as one could possibly conceive, Fabiyi seemed to believe that his actions were somehow justified by the claimed benefits he was to accrue at the cost of the sacrifice.

Following the arrest, SP Sunday Abutu provided further details about the investigation. According to the police, Fabiyi lives with his parents and the victim in the Goshen Avenue area, located in Adebayo, Ado-Ekiti. Fabiyi’s confession confirmed that he had planned to use his nephew for the ritual, and law enforcement authorities swiftly took action to ensure that the child was protected from harm.

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Fabiyi’s conduct has stirred public outcry and alarm at the continued ritual activities in parts of Nigeria despite numerous attempts to curb such activities. The police have noted that the speedy response and resultant arrest of Fabiyi prevented a potential catastrophe from occurring since the child would have been taken through an unknown and dangerous ritual.

When the news of the arrest was released, most people expressed their outrage and shock at the act on social media. Some users condemned the suspect’s actions, while others pointed out the danger of the belief in ritual practices, which continue to afflict many communities. The viral video, in which Fabiyi discusses the ritual, has also enraged the public even more. The majority have been concerned with the authority of traditional beliefs and the extreme actions that some individuals would take just to be rich.

The government has called on the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving ritualistic practices. They also emphasized the importance of enlightening members of the public, particularly in rural areas, about the dangers of superstitions and harmful practices from traditional beliefs.

At the same time, the victim, Jomiloju, has been rescued and taken into custody by social services. The authorities have done everything possible to keep the child safe and provide it with the necessary medical attention and counseling to enable it to cope with the traumatic ordeal. Even physically, all seems well with Jomiloju, but the psychological effects of such an ordeal could be staggering. Experts are hopeful that with the right care and treatment, the young boy will eventually recover from the emotional trauma.

The case has raised issue on how susceptible children are whose parents live in houses where they practice things like the one involved. While Fabiyi claimed his intention was to spend the money he sought from the ritual so that he can provide his nephew with a quality life, clearly the victim was exploited for somebody else’s personal gain.

Solomon Fabiyi had already been arraigned in court following his confession and the police evidence. The crime for which he has been charged entails an attempt to engage in ritual murder or sacrifice, a crime that is heavily punishable under Nigerian law. The government has assured the public that justice would be served in the case, with Fabiyi to be dealt the full weight of the law.

The involvement of the herbalist, who played a central role in alerting the police, also has legal ramifications. It is not yet certain whether or not the herbalist will be charged with his part in the scheme, though he has been hailed for preventing something awful from occurring. The government has not issued any statements regarding the herbalist’s legal status.

This case is reflective of an alarming trend in some regions of Nigeria, where ritual practice remains supreme, and individuals will do just about anything to earn money at any cost. The authorities continue to battle such practices, but such cases as this serve to be a dire reminder of what lies ahead of them.

As the investigation continued, the Ekiti State Police Command also implored members of the public to be careful and report suspected ritual practices. With the fast response of the police and action by the intervention of the herbalist, tragedy was averted. However, the authorities and the people need to remain working together in an effort to bring an end to hazardous rituals and protect vulnerable members of society, especially children.

Gangsters killed NYSC Corp Member in Plateau State.

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