Police in the north-western Nigerian state of Zamfara says they have arrested four people allegedly involved in cannibalism and selling human organs - a rare phenomenon in the region.
The suspects were arrested after detectives found a corpse in an uncompleted building with some body parts missing, Ayuba Elkanah, the state’s commissioner of police told journalists on Thursday.
The discovery happened during an investigation into the disappearance of a nine-year-old boy.
The suspects, two men and two teenage boys, were arrested last week, Mr Elkanah said, adding that other members of the gang were being tracked down.
The police chief said investigations had revealed that the alleged ring leader had on two occasions paid the other suspects N500,000 ($1,200; £880) for the human parts.
Zamfara is one of the states worst hit by a wave of killings and kidnappings for ransom, with authorities facing criticism for failing to tackle the violence.
Last week, about 200 people were reportedly killed during a series of raids on several villages in the state.
Latest Stories
-
High-value property sale gone wrong as Supreme Court rules against police officer
6 mins -
Yara Ghana donates 1,107 bags of fertilizers to women farmers, farmers with disabilities
31 mins -
Tinubu forms team to find solutions to ailing economy
39 mins -
Jacob Zuma barred from running in South Africa election
44 mins -
Western Cape Education wins national primary school track and field championships
1 hour -
Cyber Security Authority issues Public Alert over Easter and Eid al-Fitr season scams
1 hour -
Sandro Tonali charged by FA for alleged betting rules breaches after joining Newcastle
1 hour -
Scancom PLC holds 6th AGM, declares dividend of 17.5 pesewas per share
2 hours -
Former Deputy AG accuses Godfred Dame of unethical legal behaviour
2 hours -
John Kumah goes home on May 18
2 hours -
Tema General Hospital: If a baby died, it wasn’t because of ‘dumsor’ – GHS Accra Director
2 hours -
Afenyo-Markin fetes cast and crew of ‘the gods are not to blame’
2 hours -
‘Dumsor’ to hit parts of Accra and Tema today
2 hours -
Dolly Parton speaks out after Beyoncé reveals she’s covering ‘Jolene’
3 hours -
Energy transition threatens survival of GNPC – PIAC warns
3 hours