(Nigeria Police. Photo Credit: Punch News)
An 18-month-old baby girl has reportedly been be-he@ded for suspected ritual purposes at Agoti farm settlement in Idanre, Ondo State.
The incident occurred on Monday, June 8, 2026, according to the father of the deceased, Bright Kalu, a peasant farmer originally from Abia State.
Narrating the incident, Kalu explained that he had left the baby in his wife’s care at their farm camp while he travelled to a nearby farm to purchase food items.
He recounted that upon returning that Monday, he found his wife visibly troubled and distressed, and upon questioning her, she disclosed that someone had come to the camp and att@cked her, adding that while she managed to rescue three of their children, one was missing.
Kalu said he and his elder brother, Ifeanyi, immediately began searching the surrounding area. Although they found no trace of any intruder, they later discovered the lifeless body of his daughter behind their house, with her head severed.
The grieving farmer has appealed to the Ondo State government, security agencies, and human rights organisations to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, disclosing that the matter had been reported at the Olofin Police Station in Idanre before being transferred to the State Police Headquarters in Akure for further investigation.
Confirming the incident, police spokesperson DSP Abayomi Jimoh said an arrest had already been made and that investigations were ongoing, adding that the suspect would be charged to court once the police investigation is concluded.
This is a deeply distressing story involving the loss of a child; if anyone close to this is struggling with the emotional weight of it, support is available, and I’m happy to help locate appropriate resources if needed.