Crime
Man’s Shocking Attempt To Use Son For Money Ritual Uncovered
The Zone 2 Police Command has apprehended a 50-year-old man from Benin Republic, Pome Banda, along with three accomplices, on suspicion of luring a nine-year-old boy from the same country with the intention of performing a money ritual.
According to Mr. Mohammed, during the course of their plot, the Zone 2 Criminal Investigation Department received information about the group’s activities.
As part of their operation, the police posed as a herbalist willing to assist them in using the boy for the money ritual.
Under this pretense, the operatives engaged in discussions with the boy’s father, Benjamin Balobi, who resides in Nigeria, as well as two Nigerian nationals, Segun Shile, and Ige Koshelu.
Mr. Banda left his hometown, Ajah Jakatome in Benin Republic, and arrived in Nigeria on May 30, 2023, with his son. He convinced the young boy that they were coming to secure a housemaid job for him.
Once in Nigeria, the boy was handed over to a man known as Baba Shina, who is currently on the run, to work as a house help.
Mr. Mohammed disclosed that following a month of living with Baba Shina, the boy was taken back to Cotonou, and a sum of N35,000 was given to his father in his presence, disguised as a salary to confuse the young boy.
Between June 17 and 23, Mr. Banda, after finalizing arrangements with the other suspects, brought the boy back from Benin Republic to Nigeria for the purpose of conducting a money-making ritual.
The four suspects involved in the crime were apprehended at Sango Ota in Ogun State, Nigeria, which was the presumed location of the native doctor they were working with. The suspects have all confessed to their involvement in the nefarious act.
The AIG stated that the four suspects involved in the crime were apprehended at Sango Ota in Ogun State, Nigeria, which was the presumed location of the native doctor they were working with.
He further said that the suspects have all confessed to their involvement in the nefarious act.
The authorities stated that the investigation is ongoing, and once it is completed, the suspects will be charged to court to face appropriate legal consequences for their actions.
During the interrogation at the Zone 2 Police Command Headquarters in Onikan, Lagos, the boy’s father, Mr. Banda who communicated through an interpreter confessed that he resorted to attempting a money ritual using his fifth child because of his impoverished condition.
In his quest to execute this sinister plan, he contacted his brother, Mr. Balobi, who resides in Nigeria, seeking his assistance in finding a job as a house help for his son.
However, Mr. Banda’s ulterior motive was to also involve his brother in the money ritual scheme.
Mr. Balobi managed to secure a person named Baba Shina to act as the master of the boy, who was to be employed as a house help.
Furthermore, Mr. Banda connected with a Nigerian individual named Ige Koshelu and discussed with him the specific details of what he wanted his son to do in relation to the money ritual.
He said he met Mr Koshelu in the Ilaro area of Ogun, who then contacted Mr Shile, who allegedly made arrangements for a herbalist in the Owode Yewa area in Ogun.
Mr Banda said Mr Shile became the middleman and coordinator between Mr Ige, himself and the suspected herbalist, who they never knew was a policeman.
On the part of Mr Balobi, the boy’s father called him to know what he was doing in Nigeria and wanted him to help get a place where his son would work as a house boy.
Mr Balobi said he told Mr Banda that the job he saw paid N5,000 salary monthly.
“It was later he opened up to me that he wanted to use his son for a money ritual; that is when I connected him with one Baba Shina, who is on the run now. The boy was taken to Baba Shina’s house,” he said.
According to Mr. Koshelu’s statement, when Mr. Banda brought his son from the Benin Republic, it was Baba Shina, the boy’s master in Nigeria, who contacted him. Baba Shina informed Mr. Koshelu about their plan to use the boy for a money ritual.
Mr. Koshelu, however, claimed that he had no knowledge or expertise in rituals. Despite this, he assured Mr. Banda and Baba Shina that he would try to help them by reaching out to a friend who might know a herbalist or be able to assist them in their quest for a money-making ritual.
He said “It was a friend of mine whom I contacted that promised to get someone for them in the Oja Odan area of Ogun, who finally helped them.
“It was that my friend who later took us to the herbalist’s house at Owode Yewa, and from Owode Yewa, we moved again to Sango to meet the herbalist. Unfortunately, we were arrested at the scene where the policemen were already waiting.”
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, until April 15 and 16.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the adjournment on Tuesday after the prosecution requested more time to prepare for the trial.
During the court session, lead prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that he had only recently been assigned to handle the case and needed additional time to consult with witnesses.
SEE ALSO: Malami Speaks Out On Court Ruling, Urges Nigerians To Stay Calm
“I got the instruction to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and so I need time to interface with the witnesses,” Kehinde told the court while asking for a new hearing date.
Counsel for the defendants, Shuaibu Arua (SAN), did not oppose the request for adjournment.
Following the application, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and fixed April 15 and 16 for the continuation of the trial.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier arraigned the former justice minister and his son on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami was accused of allegedly aiding terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to him while he served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also accused of illegally storing firearms and ammunition at their residence located in Gesse Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.
Items allegedly recovered include a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.
The alleged offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, 2004.
The trial is expected to continue in April when the court begins full hearing of the case.
A routine patrol by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Lagos and the exposure of a wanted driver, highlighting the importance of proper vehicle documentation and cooperation with authorities.
The incident occurred at the RS2.1114 Isolo Unit Command, where officers stopped an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna bearing registration number LSD438GK for a Vehicle Licence Violation (VLV) on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at about 5:11 p.m.
While the driver initially failed to present valid documents, further checks revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen and the driver was already declared wanted.
SEE ALSO: Fatigue, Over Speeding Led To Road Accident Which Claimed 21 Kano Athletes – FRSC
The suspect was subsequently handed over in handcuffs to the Nigeria Police Force, Ajao Division, for further action.
The FRSC credited the recovery to the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), a digital framework that strengthens vehicle verification and tracking.
The scheme has reportedly helped identify, trace, and recover numerous stolen vehicles nationwide, while curbing criminal syndicates involved in vehicle theft and identity manipulation.
In a statement, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide stressed that enforcement is not only about traffic compliance but also crime prevention and public safety, urging motorists to always carry valid documentation and cooperate with patrol officers.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed commended the Isolo team for their vigilance, affirming the FRSC’s commitment to leveraging technology, intelligence, and strategic partnerships to protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.
A major election scandal unfolded on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as security agents apprehended a young woman in the Kabusa area for allegedly possessing 20 voter cards during the ongoing area council elections.
The woman, dressed in a black shirt and red trousers with a white scarf, was intercepted at Polling Unit 001 in Kabusa Primary School.
She was immediately escorted into a police van by security personnel, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.
SEE ALSO: Chaos At Nyanya Polling Unit As PDP, ADC Accuse APC of ₦1,000 Vote Buying
Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, was on the ground monitoring the elections.
He visited several polling units, including the Karu Chief’s Palace, to interact with adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and assess voter turnout.
Wike reportedly inquired about the progress of the voting and the challenges faced by election officials.
This incident comes amid reports of low voter turnout and other electoral irregularities in parts of Abuja, underscoring ongoing concerns about electoral security and transparency in the FCT area council elections.
Authorities have assured that investigations are ongoing, and the suspect may face legal action pending further verification of her actions.
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