The police command in Oyo State has arrested a 23-year-old suspected murderer, Sodiq Kayode Akorede, found in possession of a severed head of a six-year-old girl.

Police spokesman Ayanlade Olayinka, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the command received details of the tragic incident, which occurred at Adigun Village, Olorunda Ogunsola area of Ibadan, on Saturday.

“In line with the Oyo State Police Command’s efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property, as well as to ensure that justice is served at all times, the Command wishes to inform the general public of a tragic incident that occurred on April 11, 2026, in Adigun Village, Olorunda Ogunsola area of Ibadan,” the statement said.

“In connection with the above, the Command received information that a young girl had been unlawfully killed, with her head severed and reportedly found in the possession of one Sodiq Kayode Akorede ‘M’ at the aforementioned location,” it added.

Acting on the state’s Commissioner of Police (CP) directive, the police spokesman said operatives detached to the scene rescued the suspect from an irate mob, arrested and recovered the exhibit found in his possession.

Mr Olayinka said preliminary investigation by the command revealed that the suspect allegedly murdered and beheaded a six-year-old girl, later identified as Mutiyatu Sunday.

The spokesman said the suspect, who confessed to the crime, was taken to a medical facility for treatment of injuries sustained during the mob attack. 

He noted that the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation and prosecution.

Condemning mob brutality, the state CP warned members of the public against undertaking acts of jungle justice.

He stated that such unlawful actions impede thorough investigation and ultimately truncate the course of justice. 

Promising that justice would be served, the command urged residents to remain law-abiding and continue to report suspicious activities to the nearest police stations.