Nigeria: police parade 3 over alleged ritual killing of 9-year-old boy in Rivers State

In Nigeria, ritualistic murders – locally known as ‘money rituals’ – are rampant even though not all victims of ritual murders are found. We will never know how many ritual murders are being committed in Africa’s most populated country.

Not infrequently, the police arrests suspects, which is certainly a step in the right direction. The rule of law must be upheld. Those who commit crimes must account for their deeds. 

However, the rule of law is not served with the public parading of suspects. Even suspects have their rights in a country ruled by law. A suspect is only guilty after being tried by an independent court. Any form of punishment or humiliation of a suspect is a violation of his or her human rights. (webmaster FVDK).  

Police parade 3 over alleged ritual killing of 9-year-old boy in Rivers

Published: November 20, 2021
By: Clement Chinedu – Daily Post, Nigeria    

Three people, including a herbalist have been paraded by the Rivers State Police Command for alleged murder of a 9-year-old boy, identified as Destiny Peter.

The incident took place in Isiokpo community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State last week.

The herbalist, Chijioka Ogbonnah was arrested following the confession of one of the suspects, Kenneth Sylvanus earlier arrested in connection with the murder of the little boy.

Sylvanus alleged that the herbalist had instructed him to bring the head of a nine-year-old for “something.”

Narrating the incident to journalists at the office of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Sylvanus said “Chijioke Ogbondah influenced me, he told me to bring a human part for him that he wants to use it to do something and promised to give me some money. I think he hypnotized me. I took the boy to him and we killed him together”.

However, the herbalist denied involvement in the murder of the 9-year-old boy.

“I don’t know anything about the dead boy, God bears me witness. The only thing that connects Sylvanus and I was that I healed his brother of madness,” he claimed.

A third suspect in the matter, Chibuzor Amadi also denied involvement in the death of the little boy.

Addressing journalists on Friday, the Spokesman of Rivers State Police Command, SP Nnamdi Omoni said “investigation is still ongoing and I can assure you that at end of our investigation the matter will be charged to court.

“I appeal to the family of the deceased to remain calm. There will be justice at the end of the day for the little boy that was murdered gruesomely”.

Source: Police parade 3 over alleged ritual killing of 9-year-old boy in Rivers