By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

Fear gripped residents of the Isale Osun area in Osogbo, Osun State, following the discovery of a headless body in their community.

The gruesome discovery, made last Friday, has thrown the neighbourhood into a state of panic.

The victim, identified simply as Khadijat, was said to be a homeless nursing mother abandoned by her husband many years ago.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that Khadijat was killed by suspected ritualists along a road leading to the Osun Grove at midnight.

Gbemi, a resident of the area, told our correspondent that the deceased had been wandering the neighbourhood with her baby after years of neglect.

“Khadijat was always seen around the neighbourhood, wandering aimlessly. The suffering she endured had turned her into a destitute. She was often begging for food and money from passersby,” she said.

Gbemi speculated that her vulnerability and isolation might have made her an easy target for ritualists.

“When I saw neighbours gathered, I peeped and discovered it was Khadijat. Her head had been cut off, and after searching, we realised her baby was missing. It’s likely those who killed her also took the child.”

The police were later notified and arrived to evacuate the body.

A police source, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the corpse had been taken to a mortuary for autopsy.