The Police Command in Oyo State has arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly tampering with a grave in the Itesiwaju area of Ibadan.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to the statement, a resident of the community reported the incident to the police at about 3:00 p.m. on Dec. 24.
Olayinka said the resident had earlier sighted the suspect around 1:03 p.m. near a grave within a compound and raised an alarm.
He said that following the alarm, occupants of the house came out and discovered a dried human head beside a bathroom. Further checks revealed that the grave of a deceased landlady in the compound had been tampered with.
“The suspect was sighted at the scene before the alarm was raised, after which he reportedly jumped over the fence and fled,” Olayinka said.
The police spokesperson said operatives promptly visited the scene after the report and were able to arrest the suspect, who had earlier escaped.
He added that the suspect was cooperating with the police as investigations continue to determine the motive behind the act.
Olayinka said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Olufemi Haruna, commended members of the public for providing timely information that led to the arrest.
Meanwhile, the command reminded residents that the ban on the use of fireworks remains in force and should not be used to usher in the New Year.
He warned that criminals could exploit fireworks during celebrations to carry out unlawful activities.
The police spokesperson advised residents to remain security-conscious, periodically share their locations with trusted family members or friends, and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or security post.