The Ogun State Police Command yesterday uncovered suspected human parts buried in a church at Ota.
The command said it arrested the 67-year-old pastor of the church, Samuel Babatunde, as well as three others in connection with the human parts.
Babatunde is said to be the founder of a Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Itedo Isinmi Ayo Parish, on Egan Road, Iyana-Iyesi, Ota.
Police Commissioner Ahmed Iliyasu, who paraded the pastor in Ota, said the discovery followed the arrest, last Saturday, of a suspected serial kidnapper, Jeremiah Adeola.
Iliyasu said Adeola, 32, who specialised in abducting children, confessed that the pastor of the “Aladura” church was a receiver of the abducted children.
The police chief said another suspect, 43-year-old herbalist, Haruna Afolabi, allegedly buried the human parts at the church entrance.
He said operatives at the Police Area Command, Ota, on Sunday, received reports on Adeola’s alleged criminal conduct and nabbed him.
Iliyasu said: “On the strength of the intelligence, detectives from Ota Area Command were detailed to arrest the suspect. At 10:20 a.m. their efforts paid off when Adeola was arrested.
“On interrogation, he confessed to being a serial kidnapper and mentioned a prophet of a white garment church as the receiver of the kidnapped children.
“Upon his revelation, he was taken to the house/church of the prophet at Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, where Prophet Samuel Babatunde, 67, a pastor in charge of the church and Haruna Afolabi, 42, a traditional worshiper, were arrested.
“The floor of the church was dug and suspected human parts were found there.”
The police chief said the command would conduct a forensic investigation, assuring residents that those found culpable will be punished.
Iliyasu said: “Ogun State will never be a safe haven for criminals.”
Babatunde denied the allegation, saying the items found in his church were remains of a buried pig.
The pastor said he buried the animal to attract fortunes, prosperity and comfort to worshippers.
Babatunde added that he met Adeola at a prayer mountain in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, but never had any ritualist dealing with him.
The cleric accused Adeola of having psychological problems.
But Adeola insisted Babatunde was receiver of the kidnapped children, saying the cleric paid N50,000 for each of the two children.
The suspect said a man, identified as Olaniyi and on the run, introduced him to kidnapping in 2013 in Ibadan, where they often abducted their victims via a commercial vehicle.