Confusion as cleric beheads 14-year-old boy for ritual in Ibadan

Trepidation has trailed the death of 14-year-old Malik Kareem, who was allegedly beheaded by a Muslim cleric for ritual purposes.

The Guardian learnt that the incident occurred on Saturday in the Olorisaoko community, Akinyele Local Council.

Malik, who was said to have just completed his West African Examination Council (WAEC) tests at Iyana Community Grammar School in Olode, Moniya, Ibadan, had reportedly sought the cleric, alongside three friends, for a money ritual.

According to sources, and unknown to the victim, the three friends had conspired with the cleric to sacrifice him.

It was learnt that the boys and the cleric strangled and beheaded him.

A family member, who narrated the incident yesterday said when they were alerted of the tragedy, they rushed to the scene only to find Malik’s headless body.

“I was at home when one of my brothers ran to inform me about the unfortunate incident. We quickly rushed down to the place to confirm it. When we got there, the Muslim cleric had already run away, but we found the victim’s lifeless body on the ground without a head.

“He was found in a pool of blood in the cleric’s house. The head has already been cremated. The three boys had earlier struck a deal with the cleric that they would use their friend for a money ritual.

“So, when they got there, he was strangled to death and beheaded. According to what they told us, they were to be using it (the head) to take pap every day.”

Another family source said the cleric had already fled. He confirmed that the boy’s head was burnt. “The cleric house has been set ablaze by yet-to-be-identified youths in the area.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for Oyo State Police Command, SP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed that an investigation into the incident has begun and promised to provide updates as the case progresses.