Ekiti Police Detain Five in Connection With Assault and Public Humiliation of Woman Accused of Witchcraft

Five people have been taken into custody by the Ekiti State Police Command in connection with allegations of conspiracy, cyberstalking, cyberbullying and assault causing harm to a woman in Agbado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. The command's spokesperson, SP Abutu Sunday, announced the arrests in a statement released on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. According to the statement, the case began with a petition submitted to the command on September 22, 2026 by Funmilayo Omoyajowo, who lives on Ishorun Street in Agbado-Ekiti. Omoyajowo stated that the incident took place on June 20, 2026 at roughly 8 a.m., when the suspects and other people who have not yet been located entered her home and attacked her, leaving her injured. She said the suspects accused her of practicing witchcraft and blamed her without evidence for the death of a man identified as Mr Abayo, also a resident of Agbado-Ekiti. The statement said the woman was stripped against her will and subjected to humiliating treatment in a public area. Those responsible filmed the attack and posted the recording on social media in order to shame and defame her. Following the petition, officers from the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested five suspects: Tafa Adesanmi, 60; Fatoba Sola, 65; Hassan Yahaya, 43; Bodunde Adebayo, 32; and Titilayo Toyin, 47. All of them live in Agbado-Ekiti. Police said the suspects are being investigated and that attempts are continuing to find the other people allegedly involved who are still at large. Ekiti State Commissioner of Police Falade Micheal denounced the alleged conduct, saying the command will not accept jungle justice, mob violence or the unauthorized sharing of material meant to degrade, frighten or strip any person of their dignity. He stressed that claims of witchcraft or any other offence cannot serve as justification for assault, public degradation or any form of cruel or humiliating treatment. The commissioner cautioned the public against taking the law into their own hands and encouraged residents to report suspected crimes to the proper authorities. He restated the command's dedication to safeguarding the lives, dignity and basic rights of people in the state, and gave assurances that anyone found responsible would be dealt with fully under the law. Police added that the matter is still under investigation and that the suspects will be brought to court in line with the law once the investigation is complete.