The police in Lagos have apprehended four suspects for being in possession of, and trading in human body parts.
The suspects, of ages 34, 44, 46 and 48, were apprehended in March by detectives of Adeniji Adele Division.
The principal suspect, a 46-year-old alleged supplier of the human parts, was intercepted with suspected human body parts during a stop-and-search operation on Bamgbose Street in the Lagos Island area.
A police source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that the principal suspect claimed he “picked” the dead body from under Adeniji Adele Bridge.
“He said that he searches for dead bodies and picks up abandoned human remains from various locations across the State, cut the body into pieces for sale.
“The suspect revealed that he sells the human parts for N10,000 to buyers who use them for ritual purposes.
“He also claimed to use the bodies to prepare black soap, which he sells to people seeking God’s mercy, good luck, favour, and other perceived spiritual benefits,” the source said.
His confession led to the arrest of the other three suspects, who were identified as buyers in the illegal trade.
The suspects, who admitted to purchasing human parts and flesh, said that the parts were supplied through a network of individuals, with certain accomplices currently at large.
The Commissioner of Police, Fatal Tijani, ordered that the case be transferred from to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further investigation.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, Mr. Dayo Akinbisehin, told NAN that the corpse recovered from the principal suspect has been deposited in a morgue.
He said that investigations have been concluded, and the suspects would be charged to court.
According to him, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
He reaffirmed the department’s commitment to tackling criminal networks and warned that anyone found engaging in such unlawful activities would face the full weight of the law.
Akinbisehin also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies.