18-Month-Old Baby Beheaded for Rituals in Ondo

• An 18-month-old girl was allegedly killed and beheaded in Ondo State in a suspected ritual-related attack, prompting police investigations and the arrest of a suspect.

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspect following the killing of an 18-month-old baby girl whose body was discovered with her head severed at Agoti farm settlement in Idanre Local Government Area of the state.

The tragic incident reportedly occurred on June 8, 2026, and has sparked outrage among residents and human rights advocates.

According to the child’s father, Bright Kalu, a farmer from Abia State, he had left his daughter in the care of her mother at their farm camp while he went to purchase food items from a nearby settlement.

Kalu said he returned to find his wife visibly distressed. She allegedly told him that an unidentified person had attacked her and attempted to abduct the children.

According to him, she managed to rescue three of their children, but their youngest child was missing.

The family immediately launched a search around the settlement.

Sadly, the missing child was later found dead behind their residence, with her head severed.

The grieving father has appealed to the Ondo State Government, security agencies and human rights organisations to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

The case was initially 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, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said detectives have arrested a suspect in connection with the crime.

He added that investigations are ongoing and that the suspect will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.

Authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspect or disclosed further details about the motive behind the killing.

The incident has renewed concerns over violent crimes and alleged ritual-related attacks in parts of the country, with residents calling for swift justice for the slain child and her family.