A suspected ritualist was apprehended by community youths yesterday over the alleged killing of a three-year-old Muslim boy at Aritalin area of Ovom community in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

The suspect popularly known as Bobby, an indigene of Ovom community, was apprehended at about 8 pm with the mutilated body of the boy while trying to escape to an unknown destination.

The discovery of the mutilated body angered some Muslims who attempted to mob the culprit but were stopped by Muslim elders and the suspect was handed over to the police.

A joint delegation of the national leadership of the Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence (AWAGBV) and the Federation of Muslims Women Association (FOMWAN), Bayelsa State Chapter, who visited the family of the deceased boy, said despite the temptation to resort to violence, the peace loving Muslims community would only demand justice.

A member of the deceased’s family told the delegation that the deceased boy had visited Yenagoa to celebrate Salah, but his life was cut short.

Chairperson, FOMWAN in Bayelsa State, Hajia Aisha Abeki, who is also a member of the Association of Women Against Gender based violence expressed sympathy over the incident, declaring that women in the state were saddened by the incident.

The groups condemned the killing and called on the Bayelsa State Police Command to ensure that justice was done.

Also speaking, the President of the National Association of Women Against Gender Based Violence, Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry, also condemned  the act and called on relevant agencies to come together to ensure justice.

The spokesman of Bayelsa State Police Command, Mr. Musa Mohammed, a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed the incident.

He added that the matter was under investigation and had been transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).