Family Seeks Justice for Victim of Alleged Ritual Killing in Kwara State
The family of a victim of an alleged ritual killing in Kwara State has appealed for justice and the swift prosecution of the suspect responsible for the heinous crime.
Mayowa Ajiboye, a 44-year-old woman, was tragically raped and murdered in February 2024 by a suspected ritualist identified as Yemi Atolagbe in Aran-Orin community, Irepodun local government area of Kwara State.
The gruesome act allegedly culminated in her body being burnt and disposed of in a river by the assailant.
Despite the arrest of the suspect by law enforcement agencies, the victim’s family expressed deep concern that justice has not been served due to delays in the judicial process.
They have now sought the intervention of the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, and other relevant authorities to expedite legal proceedings and ensure the culprit faces the full wrath of the law.
In an emotional plea during an interview, the family decried the prolonged wait for justice, lamenting the immense pain caused by the loss of Mayowa, who was the sole provider for her four children’s education.
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, previously announced the arrest of the suspected ritualist, emphasizing that investigations were ongoing into the case.
Police spokesperson Ejire Adeyemi-Adetoun described the suspect’s actions as monstrous, detailing how he allegedly inflicted fatal injuries on the victim, raped her, and mutilated her body for ritual purposes before attempting to dispose of the evidence.
Adeyemi-Adetoun commended the swift intervention of law enforcement officers, which prevented residents from taking justice into their own hands amidst the community’s shock and outrage over the incident.
Ayobami Oloyede, the eldest child of the deceased at 26 years old, spoke of the devastating impact of his mother’s brutal murder on their family. He highlighted Mayowa’s pivotal role in their lives, particularly in ensuring their education, and expressed the family’s anguish over the void left by her tragic death.
