Poni Bada is a Beninese farmer who left his country for Nigeria with his unsuspecting 9 year old son for money rituals. The 50 year old alongside three other men Ige Koselu, Benjamin Balovi and Segun Shile went with him to Owode after contributing N100k needed for the ritual. They agreed to share the loot when the ritual is successful. The boy to be used for ritual is 9 year old Agbe who was brought to Nigeria a month earlier to work in a farm through his brother Benjamin Balobi who claimed he was doing well as a farmer. The farmer complained that his son was paid a paltry sum of N5000. compared to the work he was doing in the farm. The farmer who claimed he had three wives and ten children decided to use his last child because his situation was going from bad to worse therefore decided to use him for ritual to train other children. One of the suspects Koshelu helped him to find someone who promised to take them to a herbalist.

They were supposed to go to one herbalist who earlier was contacted declined but they found themselves in Owode in Ogun State when four other herbalists contacted earlier declined. The herbalist they now contacted initially declined saying there was nothing like money rituals. Few days later her invited them to bring the boy to be used for sacrifice. The herbalist immediately he sighted the boy stated categorically that the child’s head was too strong to be used for rituals. He however demanded for 100k to take to another herbalist who would perform the rituals. The three other accomplices contributed money while the father was told not to contribute since he was donating his son. They agreed that he would give them money once the process is complete. The herbalist picked his phone and called someone they were however surprised to see the police and were arrested.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 2 confirmed the arrest of the suspects and the rescue of the boy who was taken to a juvenile home at the end of the investigation.

Vanguard