SUSPECTED RITUALIST KILLS 6-YEAR-OLD BOY IN BAYELSA, HIDE MUTILATED BODY IN SACK BAG, AS FAMILY SEEKS JUSTICE OVER SUSPECTED COVER UP

A suspected ritualist in Bayelsa State identified as Bobby was on Wednesday apprehended for the alleged killing of a six-year-old Muslim boy at Aritalin area of Ovom community in Yenagoa Local Government council.

The suspect, popularly known as Bobby, who is an Indigene of Ovom community, was apprehended at about 8pm with the mutilated body of the boy while trying to escape to an unknown destination.

The discovery of the mutilated body, which threw the Hausa community into anger and a mob action on the culprit, was however stopped by Muslim elders and the suspect handed over to the Police.

When the delegation of the National leadership of the Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence, AWAGBV and the Federation of Muslims Women Association, FOMWAN, Bayelsa State chapter visited the family of the deceased boy, the family said despite the temptation to resort to violence, the peace-loving Muslim community are demanding for justice.

A member of the deceased family told the delegation Gender Based Advocates that the deceased boy had visited Yenagoa to celebrate Salah.

Hajia Aisha Abeki, the Chairperson of FOMWAN in Bayelsa, who is also a member of Association of Women Against Gender based violence while speaking expressed sympathy over the incident, declaring that women in the state are sad and unhappy over the incident and called on the Bayelsa State Police Command to ensure that justice is done.

Also speaking, Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry, the President of the National Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence, also condemned the act and called on relevant agencies to come together and ensure justice is gotten on this case.
As at the time of filling this report, Dr. Boma Tonye Miebai, the Chairperson of the Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Fomwan Bayelsa and Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy-Harry confirmed to newsmen that they have secured the assurances of Mr. Francis Idu, the State Commissioner of Police, that they were already on the matter and that the alleged suspect has already been arrested.

Reported by: Isaac Eyedoude