A Special Court in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the remand of five suspects accused of attempting to kill and harvest the organs of Farouq Abdulahi Taiwo, a 16-year-old primary six pupil in Ikire.

The suspects, Awotunde Saudat, Muyideen Olutoki, Fatai Abiodun, Usman Ademola, and Ismaila Abiodun were arraigned on allegations of attempted murder.

Although they pleaded not guilty, the presiding judge, Ayilara, directed that they be remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre.

The matter has since been transferred to the Chief Magistrate Court, Ikire under charge number MOS/SSA CID/15c/2025.

The count reads: “That you Awotunde Saudat, Muyideen Olutoki, Fatai Abiodun, Usman Ademola, Ismaila Abiodun, and others at large on 25th July 2025 at Ako area, Awotedo did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit, murder and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under section 324 of the criminal code Cap 34 vol II of Osun state of Nigeria, 2022.

Count II: “That you Awotunde Saudat, Muyideen Olutoki, Fatai Abiodun, Usman Ademola and Ismaila Abiodun and others now at large on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did attempt to unlawfully killed one Farouq Abdulahi Taiwo age 16 by unlawfully harvesting one of his testicles and cut open his abdomen with cutlass in attempt to extract his heart and other internal organ for ritual purposes and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under section 320 of the criminal code Cap 34 vol II of Osun State Nigeria 2002.”

When the case came up at Ikire on Thursday, January 15, Magistrate M.A. Ojo adjourned till January 21 for bail application after counsel to one of the suspects, Chief Abimbola Ige, argued for bail.

Meanwhile, a family member of the victim, Alhaji Musbaudeen Daud, has said the perpetrators of heinous act should not go unpunished.

He called for urgent intervention of Osun State Government, lamenting that ritual killings had become a recurring issue in the area.

He said three such incidents had happened a few years back without the perpetrators of such acts being dealt with.

“We want the intervention of the government on the issue so that this matter will not be swept under the carpet,” he said.

Narrating what transpired, Alhaji Daud said: “The incident occurred on July 26, 2025, at about 4:00 p.m., when Ismail Abiodun, Usman Ademola, and Faruq went to cut grass at Arademi Area, Ikire.

“Abiodun and Ademola allegedly lured Faruq into a remote bush, attacked him, and cut open his abdomen in an attempt to remove vital organs.

“They removed the Faruq’s scrotum but fled when the victim raised the alarm.

“Farouq was rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital before he was referred to the University College Hospital (UCH) for further treatment.

“Farouq took permission from his mother before coming to his grandma’s place.

“He was missing after eating that day. We searched for him but we didn’t see him till the following day when the police came to us and said he had been found, but in UCH.

“We were told that he was kidnapped and some of his kidnappers have been arrested.

“The two prime suspects initially arrested by the police confessed to the crime, saying they used to sell harvested organs to some people at the Owode market in Apomu.

“We have spent between 16 and 18 million on Farouq.” (The Nation)

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