A suspected ritualist has cut off the hand of a 7-year-old boy identified as Usman Abubakar, in Pategi town, Pategi local government area of Kwara State.

It was gathered that the unknown person has reportedly three young male Quranic (Alimanjiri) students to a bush at about 10:30 pm, on Monday, June 21 and cut off Abubakar’s right hand.

The children are said to be Quranic students of one Mallam Aliu Adamu School in Pategi town.

Spokesperson of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, Babawale Afolabi, who confirmed the incident on Tuesday June 22 said the suspect fled with the hand he cut off.

“The victim narrated how one man came to the town and lured him and two other Alimajiris to enter a car with the assurances that he was taking them to a place to give them enough food to eat,” Afolabi stated.

“The suspect, who is now at large with the part of the hand he cut, then drove into a bush and when he was struggling to cut his hand the other boys (the other two Alimajiri) escaped from the suspect,”

“It was noticed that the victim has considerably lost a lot of blood. Hence, an officer was instructed to lead the people who brought the victim to Pategi General Hospital for prompt medical attention in order to save his life. Presently, our officer is in the hospital where the victim is being attended to.

“Efforts is also ongoing to alert and share the information with other security agencies in Pategi local government area so that the suspect could be arrested. Three other surveillance officers have also been directed to go to the scene of the incident as described by the victim.” he added.

Suspected ritualist cuts off 7-year-old boy