A 50-year-old herbalist, Kehinde Ganiyu, has been apprehended for the murder of his Ghanaian friend, Emmanuel Collins.
Ganiyu is accused of killing Collins to produce ritual soap intended for use by internet fraudsters, known locally as ‘sakawa.’
The incident occurred last Thursday in Oba-Oke, situated in the Olorunda local government area of Osun State.
The Osun State Police Command presented the suspect, with Police Public Relations Officer Yemisi Opalola disclosing that Ganiyu was found with four blood-stained knives, a chisel, two gourds, a wooden traditional pot containing black soap, two sponges with black soap, a traditional tray (Opon Ifa), and local charms.
At a press briefing on Friday, July 26, Ganiyu confessed to the heinous crime, admitting that he murdered his close friend to create ritual soap.
“I visited my friend, Emmanuel Collins, because he was sick. While he was in bed, I took a knife and cut his throat. I used the part to prepare ritual money soap for Yahoo boys [known in Ghana as sakawa],” Ganiyu explained.
Ganiyu, who described himself as both a herbalist and a farmer, further confessed, “I used to make such rituals for Yahoo boys, but they usually brought the human parts. This time, I sourced the part myself” he stated.
After committing the gruesome murder, the suspect attended the funeral of his friend to bid him farewell.
“I regret my action because I also attended his burial, but suspicion and Police investigation led to my arrest. I can’t believe I killed my long time friend” Ganiyu cried.