Police arrest masquerade; 2 others with human parts

Two suspected fraudsters, Adebayo Saheed, 28, and Bello Mustafa,
30, caught with fake dollars and pieces of human skulls. Photo: Dare Fasube.

TWO suspects, identified as Adebayo Saheed and Bello Mustapha, have been arrested by Oyo State Police Command for alleged possession of parts of human skull and hair.

egungun: Sikiru Ojewale (right), custodian of Ogunmola masquerade of Adenimodo
 compound accused of destroying property during Egungun festival in Ibadan, paraded
by police yesterday. Photo: Dare Fasube.

The suspects were paraded along with a custodian of an Ibadan masquerade, known as Ogunmola Adenimodo, for allegedly destroying some vehicles at Ayeye area of Ibadan metropolis.

They were rounded up at Moniya in Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.

Ibadan masquerade festival had always left on its trail tears, losses, violence, bloodshed and even death in some cases.

However, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Muhammed Katsina, insisted that the reign of terror and impunity would not continue.

While parading the suspects at the state Police headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan yesterday, the commissioner explained that the ambush squad of the command arrested the two members of a dangerous syndicate who specialized in duping unsuspecting members of the public.

According to him, the suspects, who were allegedly caught with human parts, always pretended to offer their victims spiritual assistance.

He said small pieces of human skull, hair, fake 900 dollars and some charms were found on the suspects.

While stating that the masquerade custodian had violated an earlier undertaking they made with the police, he said the police would not allow any individual or group to constitute a threat to public peace and order, especially during the on-going masquerade festival.

He vowed that other fleeing suspects would be arrested wherever they might be hiding.

However, Sikiru denied the allegation that his supporters destroyed the vehicles, saying his masquerade was yet to go to town.

He added that since the police had not granted him permit to go out with his Masquerade, he marked the festival indoor.