A self-proclaimed pastor and his accomplices have been arrested for the alleged ritual killing of Ogunbode Quadri Adedamola, a 28-year-old graduate who went missing on 16 January 2025.
According to his girlfriend, Adedamola spoke with her on the day he disappeared, mentioning that he was outside CCC Ileri Oluwa Parish, LASU 2, for a meeting with the pastor. He assured her he would call back but never did.
When the police visited the church following her account, the Shepherd, Sup. Evang. Whepetoji Babaniyeh, denied seeing Adedamola that day and claimed to have no knowledge of his whereabouts.
However, his statement raised suspicions, prompting the police to intensify their investigation.
A breakthrough came when officers obtained the victim’s bank statement, revealing that ₦1.5 million had been transferred from his account on the day he vanished.
The money was allegedly deposited into Babaniyeh’s bank account, as well as those of his daughter and others.
Initially, he denied receiving the funds, but when confronted with evidence, he claimed it was a Thanksgiving offering.
With mounting evidence against him, Babaniyeh was detained, and his accomplices were later arrested.
One of them confessed to the murder, admitting that Adedamola was killed and his body parts harvested for ritual purposes.
The remaining parts of his body were found buried within the church premises in PPL, Ojo Oko-Maiko, Lagos.
A police raid on the church compound uncovered incriminating items, including firearms, axes, and cutlasses—suggesting that Babaniyeh and his group may have been involved in other criminal activities.
