The Kwara State Police Command has arrested four men in two separate cases involving the alleged exhumation of graves and possession of suspected human hands reportedly intended for money-making rituals.

The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, disclosed the arrests during a briefing at the command headquarters in Ilorin on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

In the first case, two men, identified as Abu Jimoh and Ayo Jimoh, were arrested on October 8 over the alleged exhumation of graves and removal of human heads at a cemetery in Omupo, Kwara State.

Police said the incident came to light in May, when residents visiting the cemetery to bury a deceased person discovered that some graves had been disturbed and the heads of previously buried bodies were missing.

According to the commissioner, the suspects were arrested at about 5 a.m. while allegedly digging graves at the cemetery. During interrogation, they reportedly identified a herbalist, Mukaila Bello, as the alleged buyer of the missing heads.

Police said investigations were continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the involvement of other persons.

In a separate incident, operatives arrested Kamalden Lukmon and AbdulGaniyu Ibrahim on October 8 after recovering two suspected human hands along Bakase Road in the Alapa area of Kwara State.

The police commissioner said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly intended to use the body parts for money-making rituals.

The two men reportedly claimed that a vigilante member, identified as Abdulraf Apata, had handed the body parts to them. Police said the allegation was being investigated to establish the origin of the remains and determine whether other individuals were involved.

The command also said investigations were ongoing to establish the identity of the possible victim and the circumstances surrounding the case.

The police said the suspects would be taken to court after the conclusion of investigations, in line with applicable legal procedures.

The arrests form part of a wider set of investigations into alleged criminal activities in Kwara State. Police have urged residents to provide credible information that could assist investigations and efforts to protect lives and property.