The police command in Oyo State has arrested 10 suspected merchants of human parts and recovered suspected body parts and charms.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement to journalists on Saturday in Ibadan.

Mr Ayanlade said that the suspects were arrested following several months of sustained intelligence gathering, and discreet surveillance by operatives of the command’s monitoring unit.

The PPRO said that the suspects were arrested at separate hideouts in Iseyin and Saki areas of the state.

“Following their arrest, operatives conducted searches of the suspects’ hideouts, during which several suspected human parts were recovered. The exhibits include one suspected human heart, human flesh, pieces of human skull  and assorted charms,” he said.

Mr Ayanlade said that the recovered items had been secured for forensic examination and further investigation.

He said that the suspects were currently assisting investigators in unraveling the circumstances surrounding the source, procurement and intended use of the recovered exhibits.

The command’s spokesman further said that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate.

Mr Ayanlade said that the state Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, commended the operatives for their painstaking intelligence-led operation and professionalism.

He quoted the commissioner of police as assuring members of the public that the command remains resolute in its determination to rid the state of criminals and protect the sanctity of human life.

(NAN)