Ekiti police arrest five over alleged assault, public stripping of woman
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested five people over the alleged assault and public stripping of a woman accused of witchcraft in Agbado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abutu Sunday, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the suspects were being investigated for alleged conspiracy, cyberstalking, cyberbullying and assault occasioning harm.
According to the police, the investigation followed a petition submitted on September 22, 2026, by Funmilayo Omoyajowo, a resident of Ishorun Street, Agbado-Ekiti, over an incident that allegedly occurred on June 20, 2026.
Omoyajowo alleged that the suspects, alongside others still at large, invaded her residence at about 8 a.m., assaulted her and inflicted serious injuries on her after accusing her of witchcraft and linking her to the death of a resident identified as Mr. Abayo.
She further alleged that the attackers dragged her to an open space and stripped her naked. The incident was reportedly recorded and circulated on social media, exposing her to public ridicule and damaging her reputation.
The police identified the arrested suspects as Tafa Adesanmi, 60; Fatoba Sola, 65; Hassan Yahaya, 43; Bodunde Adebayo, 32; and Titilayo Toyin, 47. All five are residents of Agbado-Ekiti, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other alleged participants.
The Commissioner of Police, Falade Micheal, condemned the alleged incident, warning that accusations of witchcraft or other offences did not justify mob violence, assault or the public humiliation of any person. He also cautioned residents against circulating online content intended to degrade others or violate their dignity.
The command urged residents to report suspected offences to the appropriate authorities rather than resort to self-help. It added that investigations were continuing and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
