The Oyo State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected human parts dealers and recovered suspected human remains and charms during an intelligence-led operation in Iseyin and Saki areas of the state.

The arrests followed several months of intelligence gathering, discreet surveillance and monitoring of the suspects by operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit.

According to the Command, the operation was carried out after investigators gathered intelligence on the activities of the suspects and subsequently moved to their various hideouts within Iseyin and Saki.

The suspects were identified as Adam Ibrahim, 42; Nasiru Kabiru, 22; Tijani Wasiu, 54; Abiola Nasiru, 45; Amusa Gbadamosi, 57; Raheem Taofeek, 46; Jimoh Muritala, 35; Suleiman Busari, 47; Ganiyu Nurudeen, 36; and Usman Abdullahi, 52.

The police said searches conducted at the suspects’ hideouts led to the recovery of one suspected human heart, human flesh, pieces of human skull and assorted charms.

The recovered items have been secured by the police and are expected to undergo forensic examination as part of efforts to establish their identities, sources and circumstances surrounding their possession.

The Command further said the suspects, during preliminary investigation, confessed to their various involvement in the alleged dealing in human parts for different ritual purposes.

The police said investigators were currently working to establish how the suspected human parts were obtained, where they came from and the intended use of the recovered items.

The suspects are also said to be assisting the police with information that could lead to the identification and arrest of other persons allegedly connected to the suspected network.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, commended the operatives for their sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance, which he said culminated in the arrests.

Olugbenga assured residents that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing strategies to identify and dismantle criminal networks operating across the state.

He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police to assist in preventing and detecting criminal activities.

The Commissioner reiterated the command’s determination to protect lives and property and ensure that individuals involved in activities threatening the sanctity of human life are brought to justice.

Meanwhile, investigation into the case is ongoing as the police continue efforts to unravel the full network behind the alleged human parts trade.