MINNA: A 31-year-old man, Ahmadu Jiya, has been apprehended in Niger State for money ritual, allegedly exhuming the skull of his 90-year old maternal grandmother in an attempt to raise N2 million to settle his debts.
Four alleged accomplices were also arrested in connection with the macabre scheme.
According to Police Public Relations Officer PPRO for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, Jiya initially approached a herbalist, Mohammed Ndache, seeking a quick solution to his financial woes.
Ndache reportedly instructed Jiya to provide a human head, “dead or alive,” for a ritual intended to generate instant wealth.
During police interrogation, Jiya confessed, saying; “The skull belongs to me. It was the skull of my maternal grandmother, aged over 90 years as of the time of her demise. I exhumed the corpse and obtained the skull in order to make quick money to settle debts of over N2 million that had accrued over time.”
Jiya further explained that he presented the skull to Ndache in the company of his friend, Mohammed Adamu.
However, upon learning the terms of the ritual, Adamu reportedly backed out.
Jiya then returned to his village and concealed the skull at his residence.
The police later arrested Jiya along with four other suspects: Mohammed Ndache, 70, the herbalist; Abubakar Mohammed, 21; Ali Mohammed, 20; and Mohammed Adamu, 25.
All five were apprehended at a hotel in Bida, the headquarters of Bida Local Government Area, where they were allegedly finalizing arrangements for the skull’s delivery and the collection of money.
PPRO Abiodun’s statement revealed that after Adamu’s initial withdrawal, Jiya was joined by Abubakar Mohammed.
“Together, they purchased the skull from Jiya for ₦100,000, with an initial payment of ₦40,000. The trio was then introduced to another herbalist, Mallam Ali Mohammed, who promised to perform a ritual to double their money.
“The suspects were eventually arrested after they demanded a refund from Mallam Ali, who directed them to meet him at a hotel in Bida”, said Abiodun.
Acting on a tip-off, police operatives swiftly moved in and apprehended all five suspects at the location.
Superintendent Abiodun stated that the suspects are currently undergoing a thorough investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department SCID in Minna.
They are expected to be prosecuted for their alleged involvement in ritualistic and criminal activities.
