Policemen from the Zone 11 covering Osun, Oyo and Ondo state have discovered a ritual den at Akanmola village, via Olupona in Iwo, Osun State and rescued some victims including aone-year-old child and his parent.

The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of the Zone, Mr Agboola Oshodi-Glover led his men to the forest and ensured that the shrine was dismantled after rescuing the victims.

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Akanbi who visited the scene to demonstrate his approval of the operation gave the AIG a pat on the back and pledged his support for the efforts of the police to rid the community of unscrupulous people.

According to the residents of some communities in the area, the shrine which was built on a large expanse of land had been used as hideout by criminals including kidnappers over the years.

Oba Akanbi expressed worry over the activities of the ritualists in his domain and tasked the police and other security agencies in the state to intensify efforts in apprehending them.

AIG Oshodi-Glover said necessary surveillance have been put in place to detect and apprehend criminals and prosecute them. He urged people to feel free to share information with police detectives and assured that such information would be treated in confidence.

The AIG also warned people to be wary of seeking help from fake herbalists and fraudsters. He said those that were rescued from the ritual den in Iwo fell into trap because they sought help from the ritualists.

Four persons were rescued during the operation. Two persons were arrested at the shrine but the owner of the shrine who was identified as Ekundayo escaped and police assured that he would apprehended.