As I have repeatedly stated on this site, Nigeria is most likely the African country where most ritualistic murders are taking place, not in the least because with 200 million people the West African nation is Africa’s most populated country.

Security, or rather insecurity, is one of Nigeria’s biggest problems. Not a day passes without prominent politicians, ordinary citizens, civil society organizations and newspaper editors and journalists complaining about the present situation. The three main manifestations of insecurity, terrorism and the resulting fear relate to Boko Haram, kidnappings by bandits who demand ransoms for their hostages, and – unfortunately, also ritual murders, locally known as ‘money rituals’: killing, rather slaughtering, of innocent people by unscrupulous people who believe his will result in more power, prestige, wealth or a better health. Superstition based on greed and ignorance.

Notably the southern states are notorious for their ritualistic murders, but these days also the people in Taraba State, in North Eastern Nigeria, and in particular in the – with 120,000 inhabitants relatively small – state capital Jalingo, who live in fear following a wave of ritualistic murders and missing persons. 

it is nearly impossible to include on this site all ritual murder cases which are brought to light in Nigeria. Over the last few months I have been confronted with tens of murder cases, in a large number of states, which I have not included on this site. I may present a summary in the near future.

For the time being I bring this particular case, in Taraba State, to your attention. It is noteworthy that there are over 40 different tribes and languages in Taraba State which all have a rich culture and history. After all, a friend who knows the country very well once described Nigeria to me as ‘a nice set of countries’.

If you wish to read more about Taraba State, which lies largely in the middle of Nigeria, please click this link.  (webmaster FVDK).

Fear grips Jalingo residents as cases of missing persons rise

Published: October 22, 2021
By: Magaji Hunkuji – Daily Trust, Nigeria 

Fear has gripped residents of Jalingo following an increase of cases of missing persons which is linked to ritual killings.

Areas worse affected, according to sources, include roads leading to Jalingo main market, Karofi area to Baba Yau and ATC.

North East Trust’s finding revealed that incidents of missing persons started a few months ago and it worsened in September and October.

Dead bodies of some of those that got missing were found with part of their bodies removed while several others are yet to be found.

One of the victims, Sulei Musa Kantiyel, who resided at Jauro Boto in the Jalingo metropolis was said to have left his house at about 10 pm on  September 15 and two days later his corpse was found on a maize farm along Mile Six Road with many parts of his body removed.

Another person, Husseini Maigari of Anguwan Baraya also got missing on  September 17 and he is yet to be traced.

North East Trust also gathered that an elderly woman who disappeared between Jalingo main market to Kasuwan Yelwa is also yet to be found.

Similarly, the dead bodies of three persons including two women were said to have been found with parts of their bodies removed in two locations in Jalingo recently.

Further findings revealed that the children of one Ibrahim Maigini, who got missing from their house at Tudun Wada were lucky to be found alive at a military checkpoint on the outskirt of Jalingo.

Their father, lbrahim, told our reporter that he received a call from his wife that their children, aged 10 and 11, were missing.

He said it was at about 5 pm the photos of the two missing boys were posted at one of the checkpoints requesting for their parents to come and claim them.

It was learnt that the ritualists use tricycles and private cars to perpetrate their crime both during the day and night.

Some residents who spoke to our correspondent on the  issue said nobody is safe in the town because the ritualists are targeting both children and the elderly and operating in many parts of the town.

One of the residents, Mallam Sani Saidu said security agents and  the community should work closely to address the situation.

The state Chairman of Commercial Motorcycles Operators, Abdullahi Bello, told North East Trust that he was aware of the complaints that  some of his members were being used by some of the criminals behind the missing persons.

He said the association has put in place measures to address the issue.

He said part of the measures include suspension of operations by all members at 9 pm and violators would be arrested and prosecuted.

The police spokesman, DSP Abdullahi Usman, said from his finding, the command has not received any case of missing persons within the metropolis.

“Rumors have it that there are series of such cases” the PPRO said.

Source: Fear Grips Jalingo Residents As Cases Of Missing Persons Rise