In Niger State, police have apprehended 31-year-old Ahmadu Jiya of Gbafu via Enagi, along with four others, for allegedly exhuming his 90-year-old maternal grandmother’s corpse and removing her skull for money rituals.
The suspects, Mohammed Ndache (70) of Nagya, Edati; Abubakar Mohammed (21) of Duma via Lavun; Mallam Ali Mohammed (20) of Tsyaduka via Lemu; and Mohammed Adamu (25) of Edati, were arrested at a hotel in Bida, the headquarters of Gbako Local Government Area, following credible intelligence, according to the Niger State police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun.
“On July 19, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives arrested five suspects in a hotel in Bida with a human skull in their possession believed to be for ritual purposes,” Abiodun said.
During questioning, Jiya confessed he had dug up his grandmother’s remains, who died over two years ago, hoping to raise over N2 million to settle a debt.
“He said a herbalist, Mohammed Ndache had instructed him to bring a human head, dead or alive, for money ritual.”
“After retrieving the skull, he and a friend, Mohammed Adamu presented it to the herbalist. But upon hearing the conditions of the ritual, Jiya said he could not comply and returned home with the skull, hiding it in his house,” Abiodun explained.
Two years later, Adamu and Abubakar Mohammed approached Jiya, offering to purchase the skull.
Jiya agreed to sell it for N100,000 and received N40,000 as part payment before handing it over.
“The buyers took the skull to Ndache, who introduced them to another herbalist, Mallam Ali Mohammed, described as a ‘suspected money‑doubler.’ Mallam Ali allegedly demanded N500,000 to perform the ritual, which the group paid in installments.”
Following the ritual, Mallam Ali allegedly used a drum to perform the ceremony, instructing them not to open it until further notice. Weeks passed without word, prompting Adamu and Abubakar to confront him about a refund.
“Mallam Ali reportedly persuaded them to meet him at a hotel in Bida, claiming that he would deliver their money there. Ndache was also invited as the original link to the herbalist.”
“He said the suspects were all arrested at the hotel and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation.”
The police confirmed that a discreet investigation is ongoing and assured the public that justice will be served.
