June 19, (THEWILL) – Tension gripped Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Wednesday after a six-year-old boy was allegedly killed and mutilated by a suspected ritualist in the Aritalin area of Ovom community, Yenagoa Local Government Area.
The suspect, identified simply as Bobby, an indigene of Ovom, was reportedly caught around 8pm attempting to flee with the child’s dismembered body hidden in a sack.
He was apprehended before he could escape to an undisclosed location.
The gruesome discovery sparked outrage and attempted mob action by members of the Hausa community, but the situation was quickly brought under control by Muslim elders who intervened and handed the suspect over to the police.
According to family members, the deceased boy had only arrived in Yenagoa to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir holiday before his life was brutally cut short.
During a condolence visit by the National Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence (AWAGBV) and the Bayelsa chapter of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), the family said they had chosen the path of peace and were demanding justice.
Speaking during the visit, the Chairperson of FOMWAN in Bayelsa State, Hajia Aisha Abeki, described the killing as horrific and unacceptable. She called on the Bayelsa State Police Command to ensure the suspect is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
“We are shocked and heartbroken. Women in Bayelsa are deeply saddened by this tragedy. We strongly condemn the act and demand justice for the innocent boy,” Abeki said.
Also condemning the incident, the National President of AWAGBV, Dr. Dise Ogbise-Goddy Harry, urged security agencies and relevant stakeholders to collaborate and ensure that the matter is not swept under the carpet.
As of the time of filing this report, Dr. Boma Tonye Miebai, Chairperson of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), alongside FOMWAN and AWAGBV representatives, confirmed they had received assurances from the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu, that the suspect is in custody and investigations are ongoing.
They also vowed to monitor the case closely to ensure justice is served and the memory of the deceased boy is not forgotten.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
