Osun police arrest man for killing Ghanian friend for money ritual

The Osun State Police Command has arrested 50-year-old Kehinde Ganiyu for allegedly murdering his Ghanaian friend, Emmanuel Collins, in Osogbo for ritual purposes. According to the Command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, Collins, aged 35, was killed by Ganiyu on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.

Opalola revealed that Ganiyu confessed to killing Collins by slitting his throat with a kitchen knife while he slept and later drying the severed throat in the sun for three days.

Items recovered during Ganiyu’s arrest included four blood-stained knives, a chisel, two gourds, a wooden traditional pot with black soap, two local sponges with black soap, a wooden traditional tray (opon ifa), a wooden box, and some local charms.

Opalola stated, “On July 18, 2024, at about 3:00 pm, information was received by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Oke-Odo Division Osogbo that, on the same date at about 2:30 pm, a Ghanaian named Emmanuel Collins, aged 35, was killed. Police detectives promptly initiated an investigation, leading to the arrest of Ganiyu, an intimate friend of the deceased. Ganiyu confessed to the crime, stating that on July 9, 2024, at about 9:00 pm, he went to Collins’ residence, where he found him sleeping. He then slaughtered Collins with a kitchen knife and removed his throat, which he dried for three days before burning it in a clay pot with other ritual materials in Igbo Imese Aiwosi Area, Oba-Oke village. He mixed the burnt remains with soap for a money ritual (OSOLE).”

Opalola added that the investigation is ongoing, and Ganiyu will be charged in court accordingly.

Additionally, 22-year-old Effiong Saviour was arrested for attempted murder and robbery. Opalola disclosed that Effiong attacked his victim with a cutlass on the evening of July 17, 2024, in Ipetumodu town, robbing her of her handbag, phone, GTB ATM card, phone batteries, phone chargers, and N6,000 cash, while inflicting severe machete cuts on her body.

Opalola explained, “On July 18, 2024, at about 10:15 am, the complainant reported at Ipetumodu Division that his elder sister was attacked with a cutlass by the suspect on her way home the previous evening and was robbed. Police operatives promptly acted, leading to Effiong’s arrest. He confessed to the crime, and all stolen items, as well as the cutlass used, were recovered. The victim was taken to the hospital for medical attention and is responding to treatment.”

She added that Effiong would be charged to court after the completion of investigations.