Monthly Archives: January 2021

Nigeria: Insecurity: Government must keep its end in this social contract, says Ekhomu

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Yesterday a posted an article entitled ‘Curbing the menace of ritual killings in the southwestern states‘.  Appropriate as it was to draw the attention of our readers to this worrisome and frightening situation, it nevertheless seems useful to paint a more general picture of the security situation in Sub-Saharan Africa’s most populous country.

Everyday Nigerians are facing an extremely dangerous situation consisting of political and criminal violence, ritual murders (‘money-rituals’), abductions, kidnappings, ransom cases,  by terrorists, bandits, political thugs, ritual killers, cultists, criminals, and traditional herdsmen. A personal experience in this respect may illustrate the foregoing. 

A couple of years ago I visited Nigeria for professional reasons. My employer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, had made the use of a special, armored car mandatory for government officials when traveling in Abuja or the rural areas. The only other countries with a similar precaution and obligation were Iraq and Afghanistan. No wonder, that last year the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) ranked Nigeria the third most dangerous county on earth, after Afghanistan and Iraq.

Therefore, I consider it useful to get to know the observations and warnings of Dr. Ona Ekhomu, a well-known Nigerian security expert, when reading about and analyzing ritual murders in the Nigeria. As repeatedly said before, Nigeria ranks number One with respect to ritual murders in Africa, but this should nevertheless be judged against the background of an alarming security situation in general (webmaster FVDK). 

Insecurity: Government must keep its end in this social contract, says Security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu

Dr. Ona Ekhomu

Published: January 2, 2021
By: The Guardian News, Nigeria

I REALISTICALLY expect the security situation in Nigeria to worsen this year. Given that the national and sub-national governments have not taken the time to understand the scope of threat and risk spectrum, there is no serious effort to resolve the security conundrum. 

The authorities have continued to rely on intuitive thinking in a situation that requires critical thinking and complex problem-structuring and problem-solving methodologies. 

Therefore, the security situation will worsen because a wound that is not treated becomes an ulcer. In research design, we say that past is prologue to the future. So, what is the evidence of insecurity in Nigeria? Amnesty International recently published that in the first six months of last year, over 1,126 persons were killed mostly in the rural areas where “the authorities have left communities at the mercy of rampaging gunmen.”

According to Dataphyte Nigeria, over 70,000 Nigerians have been killed in the last nine years in acts of criminal violence. The Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency has killed over 37,500 persons, displaced 2.5 million and created 244,000 refugees. In the first quarter of 2019, Nigeria recorded over 685 kidnap for ransom cases. 

Clearly, this statistic will pale into insignificance when you consider 4th quarter of last year, where in one fell swoop, over 344 students were abducted in Kankara, Katsina State. 

In December alone, about 26 travelers were seized by bandits along Benin-Auchi road and marched into the forest at Igieduma in Edo State. The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III, at the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council meeting in Abuja in November last year, warned that the security situation in northern Nigeria had gotten out of hand and bandits (terrorists) had overrun the region. 

He said in some parts of the north, bandits walk around openly carrying AK47 rifles without being challenged by security agents. The Sultan revealed that 76 persons were killed in a Sokoto community, yet it went unreported. The frequency of kidnappings, killings, murders had become high that it was not news worthy anymore.

The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) for last year ranked Nigeria the third most terrorism impacted nation on earth. With this ranking, Nigeria is rubbing shoulders with Afghanistan and Iraq.

The security scorecard for Nigeria last year is very poor. Government performed below expectation in its most important duty of keeping citizens safe, as kidnappers, bandits, killer herdsmen, cultists, ritual killers and political thugs had a field day at the expense of citizens.

The Northwest terrorism (euphemistically referred to as banditry) intensified with several communities in Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Kaduna and Sokoto states deserted due to incessant attacks and wanton killings and kidnappings by the aggressors. The so-called bandits have resorted to levying farmers millions of naira to harvest their farms. The situation in the Northwest is likely to trigger a food crisis in Nigeria this year. 

In the Northeast region, Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency continued to flourish, with terrorists attacking targets at will and shedding blood of innocent citizens without compunction. 

The chief driver of insecurity in Nigeria is the incapacity of security agencies to prevent attacks against soft targets. The philosophy of the security agencies is to take casualties and then counter-attack. 

The agencies are supposed to design an architecture that will prevent attacks in the first place. However, due to severe resource constraints and leadership factors, they adopt the counter-punch strategy. In other words, the authorities are adopting a law enforcement approach to a terrorist threat. 

In dealing with terrorism, the best approach is prevention and disruption of plots. Any time a terrorist attack occurs, the effects are devastating. Every incident of terror (mass kidnap of travelers, mass abduction of school children, suicide bombing, roadside bombing, attack on traditional rulers on the highway, brutal rape of female travelers, killing of farmers in the bush, even cannibalism by killer herdsmen, etc.) is a statement of grave insecurity. 

Many Nigerians avoid road travels because of fear of terrorist attacks along the Kaduna-Abuja highway, Lokoja-Okene highway or Benin-Auchi highway. These are killing fields where bandits emerge from the foliage and open fire on total strangers, not a targeted attack to rob them and then kidnap the survivors of the initial attack for ransom. Those unable to pay ransom are liable to be executed. In some instances, ransom is paid and the victim is killed.

The unfortunate trends in insecurity will continue and probably be exacerbated. What are the trends?
There would be an increase in highway kidnappings. It is a low risk and high yield venture that government does not seem willing to confront head on.

There would be an intensification of Northwest banditry, as the vast landscape is largely ungoverned. A situation where bandits could hide 344 students in Rugu Forest is unfortunate.

The Northeast insurgency is likely to intensify. The new leadership of ISWAP is quite bloodthirsty and would continue to tax communities and kill persons without justification.

Attacks on Army Supercamps by ISWAP will continue. Having succeeded in overrunning military bases and posts, the terrorists would take on the more hardened targets, like Supercamps.

Ansaru terrorist attacks would multiply and flourish in Kaduna and Kogi states. These terrorists are likely to infiltrate south into Edo and Delta states. Security planners in those South-South states are urged to be forward thinking.

The epidemic of terrorist violence would continue with piracy and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region. The IPOB agitators would continue to attack Police personnel and soft targets in the Southeast.

Cult violence would continue to claim lives in Edo, Delta, Rivers and Cross River states.
Ritual killings would continue to flourish in the Southwest states.

Source: Insecurity: Government must keep its end in this social contract, says Ekhomu

Nigeria: curbing the menace of ritual killings in the South West

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This posting is the first in a row of three which focus on Nigeria’s security problems. The objective is to outline a general phenomenon – ritual killings – not to focus on a specific murder case. Eventually, we will include specific examples of ritualistic acts, notably murders, known in Nigeria as ‘money-rituals’ (FVDK).

Nigeria: Curbing The Menace Of Ritual Killings In South West

The reported cases of missing persons are on the increase. Almost on a daily basis someone gets missing or killed and this has become a source of concern to most Nigerians. In this report, ALO ABIOLA, examines the menace and what could be done to check it.

Published: January 29, 2021
By: Leadership, For God And Country – Alo Abiola

When irate mob, made up of mostly youths stormed the Sotitobire Miracle Centre and razed it over a missing child known as Kolawole Gold, who was a year old in Ondo State allegedly killed for rituals, many had residents of the state had thought that the menace of ritual killing would be a thing of the past in the entire South West region.

More so, that the church building and other property worth millions of naira were set ablaze on the day of the attack. Two other houses located close to the church were also torched. About five cars, including a police van, were also burnt.

Alas, the reverse is the case. Innocent lives are still being lost to the activities of armed robbers, bandits, insurgents, kidnappers and particularly ritual killers, with little or no action taken by the government and security agencies to arrest the situation.

Killing for ritual purposes and dealing in human parts are gradually assuming an alarming rate in Nigeria and the trend calls for serious actions from government at all levels.

It has been discovered that people get involved in ritual killings for different reasons and purposes.

Observers opined that the basic reasons why people irrespective of gender, age, race, religion are into it, is the lust for money, power and fame.

To achieve their dream and make things happen fast, most of these people kill while others prefer to dig graves or visit mortuaries to remove needed human parts for rituals.

As the menace snowballs, cemetery guards and workers are said to be conniving with those who deal in human parts to exhume bodies and remove vital parts and place the body back into the grave.

Reports have it that some herbalists, especially those trading in herbal stuff and even influential Nigerians engage people to get human parts for them.

It is unfortunate that this is still happening despite the increased religious activities in the country and global technological advancement.

The issue came to fore again on Sunday, January 17, 2021, when a man, people claimed was a suspected kidnapper, was arrested in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The yet-to- be identified man, who was arrested in an uncompleted  three-storey building located opposite Ekiti State Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado Ekiti was alleged to specialise in selling human parts.

It was gathered that pictures of the victims of the suspect, ATM cards, filled passbook leaflets, a damaged phone and a cow horn were found in his possession in the building.

Some residents of the area, who could not properly identify the suspect, accused him of feigning madness and disguising as a lunatic on the street, insisting that he was using the building for his evil acts.

It took the intervention of the police to rescue the suspect from being lynched by a mob at the scene.

Reacting to the development, the Ekiti State Police Command through its spokesman, Sunday Abutu, an assistant superintendent of police said the mental state of the suspect is being investigated.

He said, “Today being  January 17, 2021 at about 1350hrs, information was received that an irate mob was about to lynch a suspect at the front of an uncompleted building, opposite Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti.

“The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) personnel swung into action immediately by moving to the scene. The suspect was rescued to the station where investigation is currently ongoing to ascertain the state of the mental health of the suspect, as he is currently showing a sign of somebody with an unsound mind.

“Items recovered from the suspect are: two damaged handsets, one cow horn, five bank cheque leaves, six ID cards, nine ATM cards of four banks, all belonging to seven different people.

“The command implores everyone to disregard the information that the suspect is a kidnapper until investigation is concluded while assuring the people of Ekiti State that the investigation will be extended to the psychiatric hospital for medical examination.

“The Ekiti State commissioner of police, Mr  Tunde Mobayo, while advising citizens to avoid taking laws into their hands anytime a suspect is arrested, implores them to always report to the nearest police station, any person or group of persons suspected to be criminals found around their environment or call 08062335577.”

For Muyiwa Salako, a community leader in the state, with the proliferation of religious groups and faith -based organisations in our country, one would have expected that these heinous acts would have reduced drastically, but unfortunately the opposite is the case.

‘’Happenings in recent times have proved that some self-acclaimed religious leaders and clerics are evil men using religion as cover up.

There were several reported cases of such fake and false clerics who were involved in the evil act.

‘’Many of them were said to have worked in cahoot with herbalists and occult people to kill and bury the head or the entire body of their victims at the altar of their church or wherever they used for their religious gathering.

‘’This is to ensure the influx of new members into their fold from time to time.

‘’Thankfully, the long arm of law is fast catching up with some of these “pastors and alfas” who are being arrested for similar acts,’’ he said.

LEADERSHIP Friday learnt that several evil forests used as kidnappers’ and ritualists’ dens were discovered in some parts of the country by security agents, where fresh and decomposing human parts were recovered.

A few years ago, there was a surge in the mysterious killing of people in one of the Southwestern state by members of a dreaded cult group.

They allegedly stormed victims’ residences while they were asleep, hypnotised them and smashed the skulls of the victims with heavy stones after which they used a handkerchief to clean the blood and brain before leaving the scene.

Some suspects, arrested in connection with the killings, were said to have revealed that each handkerchief stained with blood was sold for N500,000 to wealthy politicians, businessmen, industrialists and other well-to-do Nigerians who use them to prepare spiritual defence rituals.

It was reported some time ago that a herbalist, arrested alongside some suspected ritual killers in the southern part of Nigeria, confessed that he was preparing concoction with human parts for his clients.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Friday on the recent incident, a resident of Ado Ekiti, Mr Akinola lamented that the abandoned building had been there for some time, saying it was not surprising that such a thing is happening there.

He called on the state government to confiscate the building if the owner was ready to complete it and put it to good use.

Another resident, Miss Tolani, said that it was the third time such an incident would be reported in the building and advised the state government to demolish it.

Source: Curbing The Menace Of Ritual Killings In South West

Kenya: Tharaka Nithi girl killed in bizarre ritual sacrifice buried

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See my January 20 and January 25, 2021 postings for background information on this ritual murder. Warning: some readers may find the story disturbing (webmaster FVDK).

Tharaka Nithi girl killed in bizarre ritual sacrifice buried

The mother of nine-year-old Debra Kagendi, the girl who was beheaded in a suspected ritual sacrifice, holds her daughter’s portrait during burial on January 26, 2021 in Tharaka Nithi County. Photo: Alex Njeru | Nation Media Group

Published: January 27, 2021
By: The Nation, Kenya – Alex Njeru  

The nine-year-old girl from Tharaka Nithi who was beheaded last week in what was suspected to be a ritual sacrifice was on Tuesday buried in an emotional ceremony at her home in Mpingu village, Maara Sub-county.

Bitter relatives, local leaders, teachers and the villagers eulogised Debra Kagendi, who was a Grade Two pupil at Kiurani Primary School, as an obedient girl and demanded justice over her killing.

The Ameru Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders led by Maara Constituency chapter vice-secretary, Mr Gilbert Kathendu, also castigated the heinous act and urged the residents to remain calm as the matter goes on in court but vowed to conduct a traditional ritual to curse the act.

Cleansing prayers

The clergy also announced plans to conduct prayers in the region to cleanse the area of evil activities such as witchcraft.

Marimanti MCA Susan Ngugi and her Mwimbi counterpart Jonnes Kinegeni asked police to conduct thorough investigations and build a water-tight case against the suspected criminals.

Ms Ngugi decried the rise in child abuse and gender-based violence in Magutuni area and asked the local administration to weed out the criminals.

“We are urging those handling the murder case to make sure that the truth is known and justice is served,” said Ms Mwindu.

Mr Kinegeni urged parents to be keen on the whereabouts of their children, especially girls, because cases of child abuse are on the rise in the region.

Investigations ongoing

Mwimbi Deputy County Commissioner Elaine Kaale assured the residents that investigation officers are doing everything to unearth the truth that they will present in court against the suspects.

She called for calm and warned the villagers against taking the law into their hands by doing any vengeful act.

The body of the girl was found at the home of a suspected witch-doctor, Mr Suleiman Mati Mukiira, 94, on January 17, 2021.

Head found

Maara Sub-County Police Commander Mohammed Jarso said they found the head of the girl at a different place from where the torso was.

He added that they also found carcasses of a goat and chicken with missing hearts.

Following the incident, police arrested Mukiira and Mr Michael Ngugi Riungu, 32, who were presented in court as suspects.

Police asked for seven days to continue holding them as they conclud investigations.

On Monday, the two were brought before Senior Resident Magistrate Mwanamkuu Sudi but did not take a plea as police asked for more time to conduct a post-mortem on the girl’s body and also take the suspects for a mental tests.

Source: Tharaka Nithi girl killed in bizarre ritual sacrifice buried

Ghana: family of young lady murdered at Doryumu believes she was murdered for ritual purposes

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First of all I should state that it has not been established with certainty that the murder described below was a ritual murder.

Having said this, the reason why I nevertheless decided to include the report covering the murder here is to illustrate that the phenomenon of ritualistic murder is an accepted reality for many people in Ghana and an instinctive reaction to explain someone’s sudden death. 

As soon as someone gets missing – a child, an adolescent, or a grown-up person – and as soon as the mutilated and lifeless body of a murdered person has been found, people start whispering and gossiping, fearing that again a notorious ritualistic act has been committed. And Ghana is not the only country in Sub-Saharan Africa where this is the case. 

This is precisely one of the reasons why the present website on ritual killing in Africa has been created: by exposing this fear of people – an anxiety which violates one of their human rights: the right to live without fear for life, honor or property – (i) showing the need to fight a cruel, outdated practice based on superstition and ignorance and (ii) contributing to its eradication. 

Details of the murder at Doryumu have not been disclosed. However, the family of the 19-year old Juliette represented by the head of the Obu family publicly said they believe the victim was killed for ritual purposes.

Its a sad reality that ritualistic murders are on people’s mind as soon as they are confronted with a senseless or an unexplained murder (webmaster FVDK).

Shai-Osudoku MP commiserates with Family of 19-year-old lady murdered at Doryumu

Audio – To listen to the article, click here 

Published: January 26, 2021
By: Modern Ghana 

The Member of Parliament for Shai-Osudoku Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Linda Akweley Ocloo has paid a visit to the bereaved family of the 19-year old lady who was murdered in cold blood by unknown assailants at Doryumu weeks ago.

The MP’s visit which took place yesterday, January 25, was to commiserate with the family and assure them of her support following the lose of their daughter. 

Hon. Akweley used the opportunity to call on the youths of the community where the murder took place to assist the police to investigate the incident and bring all perpetrators to book. 

Juliette who was a twin and a bar attendant was spotted by residents walking in the company of a certain young man believed to be her boyfriend few hours before her bloodied and lifeless body with multiple deep machete wounds was spotted at 10pm on Monday, January 11. 

Head of the Obu family while speaking during the MP’s visit said he believes their daughter was murdered for ritual purposes. 

He further pleaded with the MP and her entourage to work with the police in the area to chase out alleged kidnappers who he claims have been hiding in the Dodowa forest to perpetrate evil. 

Juliette mortal remains has since been deposited at an undisclosed morgue. 

Investigators at the Greater Accra Regional police headquarters are handling the case.

Source: Shai-Osudoku MP commiserates with Family of 19-year-old lady murdered at Doryumu

Map of Shai Osudoku of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Bauchi State (Nigeria): police arrest 22-year-old for alleged ritual murder of 17-year-old neighbour

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The list of ritual murders in Nigeria is long, probably covering all 36 states. Bauchi State is no exception. Recently, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State expressed concern that the state has been beset by an array of violent crimes, including banditry, ritual killings; mutilation of body parts, and murder.

The latest ritual murder – locally known as ‘money-ritual – is presented below: an 22-year old man in Alkaleri Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, who allegedly murdered his 17-year old neighbor (webmaster FVDK). 

Police arrest 22-year-old for alleged ritual murder of 17-year-old neighbour

Published: January 5, 2021
By: TNV, The Nigerian Voice – The Rainbow

By Ahmed Kaigama
Police Command in Bauchi state has arrested a 22-year-old man, suspected to be a ritualist for alleged gruesome murder of his neighbour in Alkaleri Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

DSP Ahmed Wakil, Police Public Relations office (PPRO) of the command disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Bauchi.

Wakil said that the Alkaleri divisional police officers arrested Hamza Musa, the 22-year-old man, for the gruesome killing of his 17-year-old neighbour, Adamu Ibrahim, at wake village, Alkaleri LGA.

“On 21/12/2020 at about 0930hrs, detectives of Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters, arrested one Musa Hamza, who lured one Adamu Ibrahim of the same address into the outskirts of the village forest and killed him with a stick.

“The victim was beheaded, his two eyes removed and his body burnt,” he said.

The police spokesperson said that the culprit buried the body parts of his victim separately in a shallow grave at a nearby bush.

According to him, Police investigated and exhumed all the buried human parts and took the body parts to the General Hospital Alkaleri for medical examination.

“We discovered the two eyes removed by the culprit were recovered from the principal suspect.

”The principal suspect voluntarily confessed to having committed the crime,” saying he was asked by a ritualist to bring the eyes for ritual to enable him to be rich.” Wakil said.

The police spokesman further said they recovered one knife, One mp3 player, one pair of rubber shoes and one lighter as an exhibit from the suspect.

“Investigation is on-going after which the suspect will be charged to court for prosecution and conviction,” he said.

Wakil urged the general public to be security conscious by reporting any suspicious movement in their neighbourhood. (NAN)

Source: Police arrest 22-year-old for alleged ritual murder of 17-year-old neighbour

Related:

Police Arrest 22-Year-Old Suspect For Murder in Bauchi State

Bauchi state is bordered by seven states, Kano and Jigawa to the north, Taraba and Plateau to the south, Gombe and Yobe to the east and Kaduna to the west.

Published: January 6, 2021
By: ChannelsTV – Hajara Aliyu 

The police authorities in Bauchi State have arrested a 22-year-old suspect, Musa Hamza for murder.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, the suspect allegedly beheaded one Adamu Ibrahim, “where he forcefully gouge-out the two eyes, burnt the body/head, and buried them separately in a shallow grave located in the nearby bush.”

According to the police spokesman, both the suspect and victim were of Unguwar Wake village, Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.

He said the suspect was arrested by the detectives of Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters on December 21, 2020.

During the investigation, all the buried human parts were said to have been exhumed and taken to General Hospital Alkaleri for medical examination where the medical doctor certified the victim dead.

It was gathered that “upon interrogation, the two eyes were recovered from the principal suspect, who voluntarily confessed to have committed the crime and was asked by a ritualist to bring the eyes for ritual to enable him to be rich.”

Items recovered by the police included one knife, one mp3 player, one pair of rubber shoe and one lighter.

The police spokesman added that investigation is ongoing, adding that the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.

Source: Police Arrest 22-Year-Old Suspect For Murder

Ghana: pastor killed daughter to fulfill ‘ritual obligations’ for power

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At first sight this looks as ‘an ordinary or common’ murder case. So, no reason to include the crime on this website. However, upon further investigation there seems to be a ritualistic aspect. Apparently, preliminary reports indicate that the victim, the suspect’s daughter, had been murdered by her own father for ritual purposes and upon directives from an unnamed ritualist.

If future disclosures confirm or contradict the suspicion of a ritualistic act I will report it here. After all, the focus of this website is on ritual murders, i.e. murders committed for ritualistic purposes, based on superstition, and with the objective to increase the wealth, health, status, career or reputation of the perpetrator or an associate, a client or a relative.
(webmaster FVDK).

UPDATE: Pastor killed daughter to fulfill ‘ritual obligations’ for power – Report

Pastor Boakye Gideon has been arrested by Nkoranza Police Command in the Bono East Region, Ghana

Published: January 18, 2021
By: GhanaWeb

Personnel of the Homicide Unit of the Ghana Police Service has exhumed the body of the 9-year-old girl who was gruesomely murdered by her father who is a pastor.

Even before the suspect Pastor Boakye Gideon of the Heavens Kingdom Palace Ministry International in Accra is arraigned before court and provisionally charged for murder, preliminary reports suggest the girl was murdered for ritual purposes.

The pastor at the centre of the crime claims that he beat the poor girl for committing an offense and she collapsed and died but evidence from the scene of the crime MyNewsGh.com has been told, suggests the deceased was gruesomely murdered by her biological father upon directives from an unnamed ritualist.

Though police investigators are tight-lipped over details as they conduct a DNA analysis on the skeletal remains of the exhumed body to establish if indeed it is the body of the girl, close family members including an uncle disclosed to this portal they suspect she was deliberately murdered.

Pastor Gideon Boakye who is currently in the custody of Nkoranza Police Command in the Bono East Region upon his arrest on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, confessed that he killed his daughter and secretly buried her at Nkoranza cemetery. (NB The original article stated erroneously January 13, 2020 – italics FVDK)

He later led the police and the family members to Nkoranza cemetery where he showed them where he buried his daughter after the dastardly act.

Nyarfo Samuel, Uncle of the deceased speaking in an interview with an investigative team comprising Pure FM’s Osei Kwadwo and MyNewsGh.com’s reporters said, Boakye Queenster known popularly among relations as Maame Ama has been staying with her mother’s family in Nkoranza since she was born until recently when the man came for her.

Source: UPDATE: Pastor killed daughter to fulfill ‘ritual obligations’ for power – Report

The Bono East Region was recently created (2019). Its capital is Techiman.

Kenya: suspects in Tharaka Nithi ritual murder remanded 7 days

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I reported earlier on this gruesome murder case. See my January 20 posting ‘A shocking ritual murder in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya‘. (Warning: people may find its contents shocking due to the graphic details of this heinous crime).
(webmaster FVDK)

Suspects in Tharaka Nithi ritual sacrifice remanded 7 days

Suleiman Mati Mukira and Michael Ngugi Riungu before a Chuka court on January 19, 2021 on the accusation of killing a nine-year-old girl in Magutuni, Tharaka Nithi County, as part of a ritual.
Pholo: Alex Njeru – Nation Media Group

Published: January 19, 2021
By: Nation, Kenya – Alex Njeru 

What you need to know:

  • The accused are 94-year-old Suleiman Mati Mukira from the village in Mwimbi, whom police say is a witchdoctor, and his client Michael Ngugi Riungu, 32.

Police in Tharaka Nithi County have seven days to conclude investigations into the gruesome murder of a nine-year-old girl from Mpingu village in Maara Sub-county.

The accused are 94-year-old Suleiman Mati Mukira from the village in Mwimbi, whom police say is a witchdoctor, and his client Michael Ngugi Riungu, 32, from Kariakomo village in neighboring Ganga Ward.

In their application, police said they needed enough time to thoroughly probe the shocking incident believed to have been a ritual killing.

They further argued that the two should remain in police custody because their security is not guaranteed.

Before Senior Resident Magistrate Mwanamkuu Sudi, the investigating team also said the first suspect, Mr Riungu, is a flight risk.

“Police are seeking seven days to conclude the investigation before preferring charges,” said the prosecution.

In their affidavit, police also told the court that Mr Riungu, who had visited Mr Mukira for his services, beheaded the Grade Two child of his neighbour.

Asked whether he was against the police request for him to remain in custody for the seven days, Mr Riungu did not object.

Mr Mukira requested to be released on bond arguing that he is old and sickly and that since the incident happened, he has been suffering from depression. He also cited a urinary tract infection.

The court remanded the two, nothing the need for them to undergo mental checks before standing trial.

Source: Suspects in Tharaka Nithi ritual sacrifice remanded 7 days

Related:

‘Witchdoctor’, ‘client’ detained for alleged ritual killing of nine-year old girl

Police called suspects a flight risk, saying the public was angry and they should not be released for their own safety

Published: January 19, 2021
By: The Star, Kenya – Gerald Mutethia

In Summary 

• Court orders suspected witchdoctor and client detained for seven days for investigation and psychiatric assessment in connection with an apparent ritual beheading.

• When police arrived on Sunday afternoon, they said they found two men – a ‘traditional healer’ and his ‘client’ – eating meat. It was not clear if it was human flesh, a beheaded sacrificial goat or a chicken whose heart had been ripped out.

An elderly man and his ‘client’ accused of beheading a nine-year-old girl will be detained for seven days on suspicion of witchcraft ritual murder.

The killer or killers ripped out the heart of the victim, Deborah Kagendi Kinengeni, who regularly delivered milk. She was  brilliant, cheerful and talkative, a Chuka High Court was told on Tuesday.

The girl’s father, Ignasius Mutunga, who spoke at their home said his daughter was attending church when she was summoned to his home by the elderly traditional healer. She went willingly because she often delivered milk to him.

The girl’s brother, Evans Mawira, said he had asked the old man where his sister was. He said the old man told him to take his cows in exchange for her, the court heard.

Police in Tharaka Nithi county were allowed by a Chuka High Court on Tuesday to detain Suleiman Mati Mukira of Mpingu village in Mwimbi whom the police described as a “witchdoctor”.

Also ordered detained was his accused ‘client’, Michael Ngugi Riungu, 32, from Kariakomo village in neighbouring Ganga ward.

In an affidavit, police told the court Riungu had visited Mukira for “spiritual treatment” and beheaded the Grade 2 neighbour girl.

When police arrived on Sunday afternoon, they said they found two men – a ‘traditional healer’ and his ‘client’ – eating meat. It was not clear if it was human flesh, a beheaded sacrificial goat or a chicken whose heart had been ripped out.

The detention is to allow for investigations. The two men have not been charged in connection with the Sunday afternoon murder and suspected witchcraft.

They will undergo a psychiatric assessment before being charged and entering a plea.

It is against the law to practice witchcraft and sentences can be as long as 10  years. Murder carries a life sentence.

Police told senior resident magistrate Mwanamkuu Sudi, the investigating team considers Riungu a flight risk. They said both men’s lives were in danger from an enraged public if they are released.

Congregants at the nearby Ambassador for Christ Fellowship heard the girl’s screams, called police and rushed to the scene.

The body was found hidden in a gunny in a goat shed. The head was found in the compound.

Source: ‘Witchdoctor’, ‘client’ detained for alleged ritual killing

Kenya: A cry for justice: Brayden Mutwiri murder linked to ritual killing

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The four-year old toddler whose body had been found in the Thuci river ten days ago has been laid to rest. The bereaved parents can only hope that there is justice, but they depend on action of the authorities. It is not the first murder case in the area. Three months ago a little girl was also found dead in a nearby water. What happens in Kenya these days?
(webmaster FVDK)

A cry for justice: murdered boy buried in Embu County;
Brayden Mutwiri murder linked to ritual killing

Published: January 23, 2021
By: KTN news, from The Standard – video

A somber mood engulfed the burial ceremony of Brayden Mutwiri, a four year old boy whose body was found decomposing at river Thuci last week in Embu County. The boy whose death is suspected to have been linked to a ritual killing was today laid to rest in Kanyuambora, Mbeere North Sub-County, Embu County.

Screenshot. To watch the video, click here

Source: Source: A cry for justice: Murdered boy buried in embu; Brayden Mutwiri murder linked to ritual killing

Embu County, Kenya

Mob justice in Kenya: angry residents burn down houses belonging to wealthy suspect

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It’s not the first time that Kenyans take the law into their own hands – and it won’t be the last time either. Of course, this is wrong. The rue of the law must apply. People who are suspected of committing a crime should be apprehended, put on trial, and an impartial judge should find them guilty or not-guilty. However, the anger of local residents sometimes unlashes forces which result in mob justice. It happened in Kavengero village, in Embu County, after the mutilated, dead body of a four-year old toddler had been found in a nearby river.

An autopsy must confirm whether this was a case of ritual murder. Meanwhile the local population has no doubts. Their anger was fed by the fact that three months ago, a little girl was also found dead and floating in the water. 

The obligation of the state is to protect its citizens and to arrest, try and sentence people who break the law (webmaster FVDK).

Residents of Kavengero village in Embu County at the scene near Thuci River
where the body of a four-year-old-boy was found on January 13, 2021.
Photo: George Munene

Angry Residents Burn Down 4 Houses Belonging to Trader

Published: January 14, 2021
By: Kenyans.co.ke – Michael Musyoka 

Angry residents on Wednesday, January 13, descended on the homestead of a trader in Embu burning down four houses, whom they believed was behind the kidnapping and eventual murder of boy in the area.

Confirming the incident, Mbeere North Sub-County Police Commander Kilonzo Kivinda stated that the residents went on a rampage after police discovered the body of a four-year-old boy dumped in the Thuci river.

“The mob became violent and destroyed property owned by the trader over the death of the boy but we are investigating the matter,” he stated.

According to the security official, the residents raided the man’s shop setting it ablaze using petrol before heading to his homestead where they burnt down all the buildings there.

The mob also uprooted his Muguka crop in their outrage.

The police commander warned the residents against taking the law into their own hands adding that they had arrested the trader for questioning.

We have picked up the trader and he is assisting us with investigations,” he stated.

The body of the boy who had gone missing in December 2020, was discovered by criminal investigation officers in between rocks in the river with the tongue missing.

The body was taken to Siakago Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.

Area chief Charles Njeru noted that the residents launched a search for the boy when he had gone missing.

He added that the boy was the second child from the area to be retrieved from the river.

“Three months ago, a little girl was also found dead and floating in the water,” he added.

Source: Angry Residents Burn Down 4 Houses Belonging to Trader

Embu County, Kenya

Kenya: Ritual killing? Embu pupil says he slaughtered cousin, drank blood

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Recently, there has been an upsurge in ritualistic murders or allegations of ritual killings in the country. See my previous postings (January 2021, December 2020, November 2020) on suspected and reported cases – although we always have to bear in mind that very likely the number of suspected and discovered ritual murders are only the tip of the iceberg.  

The reason for this apparent increase in the number of ritual murders is not known.

The case reported below has all the characteristics of a ritual murder. However, since the body found had decomposed beyond recognition after remaining in water for weeks, an autopsy will be needed the determine the cause of the victim’s death.

It was reported that three months ago another child had been found dead in the river. 
(webmaster FVDK).

Ritual killing? Embu pupil says he slaughtered cousin, drank blood

Image: The Star

Published: January 15, 2021
By: The Star, Kenya – Reuben Githinji 

In Summary 

• Mutwiri went missing in late December from his home in Kavengero, Mbeere North.

• The suspect and his accomplices lured him as he played at home and took him to the river. 

A Embu boy, 16, led police in the search and recovery of the body of his four-year-old cousin he allegedly murdered and drank his blood in a suspected ritual sacrifice.  

The Standard 8 pupil on Wednesday led detectives to River Thuci where they recovered the body of Brayden Mutwiri. It had decomposed beyond recognition after remaining in water for weeks. Mutwiri went missing in late December from his home in Kavengero, Mbeere North.

The suspect and one of his accomplices were arrested on Monday and held at Siakago police station. He directed the police to the river where the body was found stuck between two rocks.

Speaking to the press at the scene, their uncle Nephat Nyaga said the suspect narrated how he and his accomplices murdered the boy, drank his blood, then threw his body into the river.

The suspect and his accomplices lured the boy as he played at home and took him to the river. 

Area chief Charles Njeru told the press that the boy mysteriously disappeared from home in late December and residents had been searching for him since.

Njeru said the bereaved family will have to wait for the postmortem result to ascertain that the body is Mutwiri’s.

The local administrator said this was the second incident of a missing child being found dead in the river. The first was a girl who went missing and her body retrieved from the river three months ago.

Njeru cautioned residents against settling their family grudges by attacking and killing children, urging them instead to follow the legal procedures of resolving disputes.

Residents condemned the killing and called for quick investigations so the killers are brought to book.

Purity Muringo said parents from the area now live in fear for the security of their schoolchildren. She said lives are at stake. Muringo called for thorough investigations to unravel the mysterious killings of innocent children.

Source: Ritual killing? Embu pupil says he slaughtered cousin, drank blood

Related articles:

Police retrieve body of four-year old who went missing

The body of Brayden Mutwiri was retrieved from River Thuci in Embu County. [Standard]

Published: January 14, 2021
By: The Standard, Kenya – Murithi Mugo  

The body of a four-year-old boy from Kavengero in Mbeere North Sub-County, Embu who went missing three weeks ago was yesterday found and retrieved from Thuci River.

The body of Brayden Mutwiri was retrieved after a long search since late December when he went missing.

Nephat Nyaga, uncle to the deceased said a 16-year-old boy is the main suspect.

Nyaga said the boy narrated how, with other accomplices from the area lured the deceased while playing at home and took him to the river where they killed him before dumping his body.

According to Nyaga, the suspects used the boy to commit the crime with a promise of monetary reward.

Source: Police retrieve body of four-year old who went missing