The Lagos State Police Command in western Nigeria, said it has arrested a 16-year-old boy over the alleged murder of a four-year-old boy in Ijaniki area of the state.

The new command spokesperson, DSP Patricia Amadin, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday.

Amadin said that the suspect was helping the police in their investigation.

She said that the police got an intelligence report that a young boy was murdered and when the police team visited the scene, the body of the victim was found on the floor with his stomach ripped open.

The PPRO expressed worries and sadness over the incident, in view of the fact that a teenager was involved in such violence, adding that the crime suggested ritual killing.

“At about 9.30 am on Monday, information received by the DPO Ijanikin Police Station was that a little boy was killed at the back of Anglican Primary School, Ijanikin.

“The DPO swiftly led a team of his men to the scene.

“The lifeless body of the boy of about four years was found in a pool of his blood with his stomach removed.

“The DPO and his men commenced a search of the area and the suspect, a 16-year-old, was arrested.

“He is in police custody. As at the time of arrest, he was found with blood stains on his body and he has since confessed to the crime.

“The victim has been evacuated to the mortuary.

“The case is currently under investigation to ascertain the motive behind the killing,’’ Amadin said.