A shocking case of ritual-related murder has been uncovered in Osun State after a native doctor allegedly buried a retired Assistant Controller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs. Angela, and her adopted daughter alive.

According to police investigations, the retired customs officer had approached the herbalist, identified as Alhaji Olatunji, seeking spiritual help to become pregnant in her sixties, despite already having an adopted daughter. Detecting her desperation and wealth, the native doctor reportedly demanded ₦10 million for the alleged fertility rituals. She eventually paid him ₦9 million.

After the treatments failed and she did not conceive—despite inviting her partner from abroad—Mrs. Angela demanded a refund. Following repeated pressure, the native doctor refunded ₦2.5 million, but she insisted on receiving the full amount.

Police say Olatunji then devised a plan to eliminate her. He hired labourers to dig a 20-foot pit inside one of his rooms, covered it with a mat and white cloth, and invited Mrs. Angela to come and collect the balance of her money. She arrived with her adopted daughter.

Before the “settlement,” he asked both mother and child to kneel on the white cloth for prayers. The moment they stepped on it, they fell into the pit. He allegedly poured bucket after bucket of sand into the hole, covering them alive. After becoming exhausted, he reportedly left for the mosque to seek forgiveness.

When he checked the pit the next day, the adopted daughter was still alive atop the sand. He then buried the pit completely, killing the girl. The following morning, he hired another labourer for ₦2,000 to cement the entire surface. He also attempted to sell Mrs. Angela’s car through a local auto dealer.

Three weeks later, when the victim’s family noticed her disappearance, they reported to the police. Investigators traced her vehicle to the car dealer, who in turn named Olatunji as the person who brought it to him. The herbalist initially claimed Mrs. Angela had asked him to sell the car, but under interrogation later confessed to the killings.

The native doctor has since been arrested and charged to court.

Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to fraudulent spiritual practitioners.