Residents of Mosarajo village in Atakumosa West Local Government Area Osun State now live in panic even as many have fled the village following the discovery of an awful shrine in the village by security operatives.

Police and other security operatives including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had on Friday discovered a shrine where human parts were allegedly being sold in the village located close to Ile-Ife.

Already, four persons have been arrested by the Police for allegedly operating the shrine, which covers about an acre of land in the village.

Residents of the village now live in fear and panic even as it was gathered that many of them fled overnight for fear of being arrested by the Police.

It was reliably gathered that a good number of people from all parts of the country patronize the shrine and many of them had been duped by those operating the shrine.

The shrine, which is a replica of the dreaded Okija shrine, was discovered by security operatives following a tip-off by some residents of the village.

The owner of the shrine who was simply identified as Aliyu (a.k.a Aburagbaja) a native of Inisa in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the state was said to be using the shrine to defraud unsuspecting people.

Although no dead body was discovered in the shrine located inside a thick forest, a live python was seen inside a coffin Aliyu allegedly constructed to invoke the spirit that produces fake naira and foreign currencies.

He was also said to be using the shrine to assist people seeking appointments into high offices; those in dare need of children and all sorts of problems.

Those arrested along with Aliyu are Eneji John (55), Tosin Olalekan (17) and Segun Fakanyi (13). They were said to be his aides.

The shrine consists of different huts; underground tunnel; idols; tombs; naira notes; fake dollar notes; black native pots, among others.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Dorothy Gimba, who confirmed the strange discovery, said the state Police command had commenced investigation and the suspects would soon be arraigned in court.

The owner of the shrine (Aliyu) confirmed ownership of the shrine, saying he was formerly selling herbs in Lagos and was introduced to the business by a man from Ekiti State simply identified as SOJ in 2003.

He claimed that the shrine was put up in the village early this year, saying the graves, masquerades and other idols in the shrine were to terrify his unsuspecting “customers” to do his bidding by bringing money for sacrifices to appease the gods to answer their prayers.

Aliyu also disclosed further that he committed N4 million into the business, adding that influential people in the society were those bringing customers for him.

He claimed that he received close to 15 customers every week.

•Credit (except for amended headline): Sunday Sun. Photo shows the dreaded Osun Shrine.

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