Nine individuals were remanded by an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State on Friday for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of six girls for ritual purposes.

The defendants, Moses Aruwaji, Adebayo Azeez, Mariam Aruwaji, Akinwunmi, Sheriff Agbani, Samuel Monday, Osojieahon Aijonohouria, Peter Oluwalolese, and Jamiu Yufuf, were charged with kidnapping, murder, robbery, and conspiracy.

According to the prosecutor, CSP Adaramola Felix, the defendants, along with accomplices still at large, committed the crimes between September 28, 2023, and January 11.

The defendants were accused of conspiring to abduct and kill six victims — Sulaimon Adijat, Lucy Blessing, Lawal Adunni, Olarewaju Abosede, Ezeh Chom, and an individual known as Pretty — for ritualistic purposes.

In addition to kidnapping and murder, the defendants allegedly robbed one of the victims, Sulaimon Adijat, of her cellphone valued at N70,000.

The charges against the defendants contravene Sections 23(2), 24(2), 319(2), and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.

Chief Magistrate D. O. Ilo ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The defendants did not enter pleas during the court session, and the case was adjourned until May 8 for further proceedings.