Police in Kwara State have arrested a man who severed the skull of his deceased female relative to sell it for a ritual purpose.
The man, whose name was given as Hamza Woru, carried out the criminal act last week in Shirgweria village in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.
Police said the suspect committed the act with the aid of an accomplice who is on the run at present.
Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Adekimi Ojo, who briefed newsmen about the development, said the suspect was apprehended when he attempted to sell the skull.
He said the complainant who brought the matter to the police was the person the suspect attempted to sell the skull to.
He explained that the complainant, having been suspicious of the suspect, reported him to the police and was playing along with him in the transaction.
The police boss said the suspect has been charged in court and that efforts are underway to arrest the fleeing accomplice.
He stated, “On 10/04/2026 at about 1500hrs, a report was received at the Divisional Headquarters, Kaiama, regarding suspicious activities involving the attempted sale of a human skull.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that on 09/04/2026 at about 1600hrs, the complainant received a phone call from an unknown person later identified as Hamza Woru ‘m’, who falsely presented himself as a customer and requested for the complainant’s location.
“At about 1630hrs same day, the suspect arrived at the agreed location in company of one Abubakar ‘m’, where they disclosed their intention to sell a human skull.
“The complainant played along and alerted the Police, leading to the arrest of Hamza Woru ‘m’ with the exhibit, while his accomplice fled and is currently at large.
“Further investigation revealed that the suspect, in company of his accomplice, went to Shirgweria Village via Kaiama, where they exhumed the remains of one Fatimoh Jubril ‘f’, who was buried in January 2026, and removed her skull. The deceased is reported to be a family relation of the suspect.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect. The case has been charged to court under the relevant provisions of the Kwara State law prohibiting dealings in human parts, Law 2018 (section 2).”