Ekiti Herbalist Honoured for Foiling Nephew’s Ritual Attempt
The Ekiti State Government has rewarded a herbalist, Adesua Ifafemi, for his role in thwarting an attempt by a 23-year-old university student, Solomon Fabiyi, to use his six-year-old nephew for money rituals.
Fabiyi, a student of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, was arrested after Ifafemi alerted the police about his suspicious request.
The young man, who had struggled with school fees in the past, confessed that he was desperate to get rich and had been told the child would only fall sick temporarily rather than die.
Speaking on the incident, Ifafemi recounted how Fabiyi visited him early in the morning, seeking help for a money ritual.
“He had gone to six different places outside Ekiti, but they demanded huge amounts. He was so desperate that he had even sold his phone to raise money,” the herbalist said.
To outsmart him, Ifafemi pretended to agree and told Fabiyi to return later with the child. Before the meeting, he had already informed the police.
“When he arrived with the boy, I called the police immediately, and he was arrested,” he added.
Impressed by his actions, Governor Biodun Oyebanji directed the Bureau of Community Communications to honour the herbalist.
The agency’s Director-General, Mary Oso-Omotosho, presented him with a N250,000 reward.
“The governor wants other traditionalists to follow your example,” Oso-Omotosho stated. “Your action reflects the Omoluwabi values we cherish in Ekiti. You have sent a strong message that ritual killings have no place in our society.”
The police also commended Ifafemi, with special recognition given to the commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Marcus Ogundola, for swiftly handling the case.
Meanwhile, Ifafemi urged fellow herbalists to reject criminal practices disguised as tradition.
“Let’s stop encouraging these disturbing trends. Our role should be to guide and heal, not to destroy lives,” he advised.
Fabiyi remains in police custody, awaiting further legal proceedings.
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