The state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who paraded the suspects, Farouk, 15, and Jamiu, 17, on Friday said the minors attempted to dispossess the pastor of his valuables when they attacked him on the church premises in the Festac area of the state.

Odumosu said the suspects, after allegedly perpetrating the crime, fled to an unknown destination, adding that they were arrested in their hideouts in Ilorin, Kwara State, and Festac area.

He said, “The duo of Farouk, 15 and Jamiu, stabbed and killed one Babatunde Dada, 46, inside a church where he worshipped. The deceased/victim, until his death, was a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Festac.

“The suspects, after committing the murderous act, absconded to unknown places. However, following intensive and discreet investigation, the two culprits were arrested in their hideouts. The suspects during interrogation confessed to have killed the victim with a bottle and a stick. The exhibits used in perpetuating the dastardly act were recovered.”

Also, Odumosu confirmed the arrest of a suspected ritualist, Kolawole Sikiru, 41, who reportedly broke into the Sabo Cemetery along the Igbogbo Road, Ikorodu. After gaining entry, Sikiru was said to have dug a grave and removed the body parts of a corpse.

The CP said Sikiru confessed to the crime during interrogation, adding that the body parts, a knife and a stick were recovered from him.

He added, “On December 7, 2021, around 11.30am, a suspected ritualist, Kolawole Sikiru, 41, was arrested with fresh human parts which he severed from a dead body at a cemetery. He further confessed that it was a yet-to-be-identified alfa who asked him to bring the body parts00 – wrists, heart and flesh – for ritual purposes. The body parts, a knife and a stick were recovered from the suspect.”