Tragedy: 18-month-old baby beheaded for rituals in Ondo

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— Father demands justice

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—We’ve arrested a suspect

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By Dayo Johnson Akure

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An 18-month-old baby girl has been reportedly beheaded for suspected ritual purposes at Agoti farm settlement in Idanre, Ondo State.

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The incident occurred on Monday, June 8, 2026, according to the father of the deceased, Bright Kalu, a peasant farmer from Abia State.

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Narrating the incident, Kalu said he left the baby in the care of her mother at their farm camp while he went to a nearby farm to buy food items.

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According to him “On Monday, June 8, 2026, I was returning from a nearby camp where I had gone to buy food items when I met my wife looking troubled and distressed,” he said.

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“When I asked what had happened, she told me that someone had come to the camp and attacked her, and that she was able to rescue three of our children, but one was missing.”

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Kalu said he and his elder brother, Ifeanyi, immediately searched the area.

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They did not find anyone but later discovered the lifeless body of his daughter behind their house with her head severed.

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The farmer has appealed to the Ondo State government, security agencies, and human rights organisations to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

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He said the matter was reported at Olofin Police Station in Idanre before being transferred to the State Police Headquarters in Akure for further investigation.

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Confirming the incident, Police image maker, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said an arrest had been made and investigation was ongoing.

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Abayomi added that the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation by police detectives.

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