An 18-month-old baby girl has been reportedly beheaded for suspected ritual purposes at Agoti farm settlement in Idanre, Ondo State.
The incident happened on Monday, June 8, 2026, the child’s father, Bright Kalu, told reporters. Kalu is a peasant farmer from Abia State.
He said he had left the baby in the care of her mother at their farm camp while he went to a nearby camp to buy food. “On Monday, June 8, 2026, I was returning from a nearby camp where I had gone to buy food items when I met my wife looking troubled and distressed,” he said. “When I asked what had happened, she told me that someone had come to the camp and attacked her, and that she was able to rescue three of our children, but one was missing.”
Kalu and his elder brother, Ifeanyi, searched the area. They did not find anyone at first, but later discovered the lifeless body of the little girl behind their house with her head severed.
The farmer has appealed to the Ondo State government, security agencies, and human rights organisations to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. The matter was reported at Olofin Police Station in Idanre and transferred to the State Police Headquarters in Akure for further investigation.
Confirming the incident, police image maker DSP Abayomi Jimoh said an arrest had been made and investigation was ongoing. Abayomi added that the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation by police detectives.
