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A 14-year-old boy named Malik Kareem was reportedly beheaded for ritual purposes on Saturday evening in
Mmjo, the Oyo State capital.

It was gathered that the gruesome act occurred in the Olorisaoko community within the Akinyele Local Government Area.

The PUNCH reports that the victim had recently completed his final subject for the West Africa Examination Council at Iyana Community Grammar School, Olode, Moniya, Ibadan.

Sources indicate that the victim, along with three peers, sought the services of a now-absconded Muslim cleric for a money ritual on the same day.

It was learnt that the three boys had secretly arranged with the cleric to kill their friend as part of the ritual.

A family source disclosed, “I was at home when one of my brothers came rushing to inform me of the tragic incident. We immediately went to the scene, only to find the cleric had fled, and the victim’s body was discovered without a head.”

“The victim was found in a pool of blood at the cleric’s house. His head had already been burned. The three boys had previously arranged with the cleric to use their friend for the ritual. When they arrived, he was strangled, decapitated, and cremated. According to what we were told, they planned to use the remains in their ritual.”

Another family member reported that the cleric’s house was subsequently set on fire by unidentified youths from the area.

State police command spokesperson Adewale Osifeso stated that an investigation has been launched. He assured that further information will be shared as it becomes available, and updates will be provided accordingly.