Pastor and Accomplices Arrested for Murder and Ritual Killing of Young Man in Lagos

The police in Lagos have arrested a self-proclaimed church pastor, Prophet Whepetoji Babaniyah, for the gruesome murder of Ogunbode Kodri Adedamola Olasunkami, a young man who went missing on January 16, 2025. The shocking case has exposed yet another instance of ritual killings disguised under the cover of religious practice.

According to reports, Ogunbode had informed his girlfriend that he was heading to church that day. When he failed to return home, she raised the alarm, insisting that he had gone to worship as planned. Her insistence led to a police investigation that eventually exposed a horrifying chain of events.

Financial Clue Leads to Pastor's Arrest

Initially, Prophet Babaniyah denied any knowledge of Ogunbode's whereabouts, even claiming that he had not been to church on the day the young man disappeared. However, investigators uncovered suspicious financial transactions linking the pastor to the victim. A sum of ₦1.5 million was transferred from Ogunbode's account to the pastor's account on the very day he was reported missing. Further investigations revealed that another transfer had been made to the account of the pastor's son, deepening suspicions of foul play.

Shocking Confession and Gruesome Discovery

With mounting evidence against him, the pastor was detained, and his accomplices were later apprehended. One of them confessed to the murder, revealing that Ogunbode was killed and his body parts were harvested for ritual purposes. The remaining parts of his body were discovered buried within the premises of CCC Ileri Oluwa Parish, LASU 2, PPL Ojo Oko-Maiko, Lagos.

A police raid on the church compound led to the discovery of other incriminating items, including firearms, axes, and cutlasses-suggesting that Prophet Babaniyah and his accomplices may have been involved in other criminal activities beyond ritual killings.

Public Outrage and Police Investigation Ongoing

The gruesome murder has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for stricter regulations and oversight of so-called religious leaders who exploit and harm innocent people. The Lagos State Police Command has assured the public that all suspects involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

This case has once again highlighted the urgent need to clamp down on human harvesting syndicates that operate under the guise of religious institutions, as well as the growing trend of financial fraud accompanying such heinous crimes.

As the investigation continues, the authorities have urged members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their communities.