The Osun State Police Command has arrested a 42-year-old man, Babalola Saheed, over the alleged exhumation and mutilation of the corpse of a 22-year-old woman, Rukibat Babatunde, in Iwo, Osun State.
The police also recovered the deceased’s severed head and left arm, alongside a cutlass allegedly used in the act.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, October 15, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the incident was reported by the deceased’s father following her death after a brief illness.
The statement disclosed that Rukibat was buried in accordance with Islamic rites on October 12, 2026, at Olomo’s Compound in the Feesun area of Iwo.
However, the family reportedly discovered that the grave had been dug up at about 2:00 a.m., with the deceased’s head and left arm allegedly severed by unidentified individuals for reasons yet to be established.
Following the report, police operatives launched an investigation into the incident, which led to the arrest of the principal suspect, Babalola Saheed.
The police said the suspect confessed to his involvement in the incident during interrogation, while efforts were ongoing to arrest two other suspects believed to have participated in the act.
The recovered body parts were subsequently handed over to the deceased’s father for reburial in accordance with the family’s religious rites. The cutlass allegedly used in severing the body parts was also recovered as an exhibit.
The police command added that the arrested suspect would be charged before a competent court, while investigations continued to apprehend the fleeing accomplices.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Zungura, condemned the act and assured residents that the command would pursue the investigation diligently to ensure that everyone connected with the incident was brought to justice.
The command also appealed to members of the public who might have useful information about the incident or the whereabouts of the fleeing suspects to report to the nearest police station.
Residents were urged to remain calm and allow the law to take its course as the investigation continued.
The statement was signed by DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Command, on October 15, 2026.
