Nigeria: Yahoo ritualists narrate how they killed DELSU first-class student Elozino Ogege

Published: November 29, 2018
by: Motolani Alake

Warning: You are about to read graphic details of the ritual killing of Elozino Ogege

Elozino Ogege
She approached them that she was looking for a house and they exploited her.

A few weeks ago, Pulse reported the death of Elozino Joshualia Ogege, a 300 Level First Class student of Mass Communication at Delta State University, after she was missing for two days. It was one of the many bad news emanating from DELSU over the past few weeks. 

When her body was found, her tongue and breasts were missing. Upon a search, it was revealed that two yahoo boys and a security guard had been arrested as suspects to her death. Today, the suspects, chief of whom is Onosa security guard have confessed to killing Ogege in graphic details.

According to Punch Metro Onos narrated, “I was contacted by Desmond (one of the Yahoo boys) and another to provide a female student for Yahoo ritual.

“So when Elozino approached me that she was looking for accommodation, I saw it as a good opportunity. I contacted Desmond who told me to tell her to come back the next day. So the next day, they brought a Toyota Corolla car; and when Elozino came, they used something on her face which made her unconscious.

“We took her to a bush where we first plucked out one of her eyes while she was still alive. She was even crying and begging us to forgive her and let her go, but we plucked the other eye, removed her breast and heart before she died.”

Onos also implicated one Uche Nwaosisi, his supervisor whom he revealed posted him to DELSU to carry out ritual killings like this. While Onos claims this is the fifth killing they have jointly perpetrated, he insisted that Ogege was the first killing around DELSU and Abraka. The first four victims were abducted at Oghara, Delta State, according to Onos.

Nwaosisi, employed by a security company attached to the DELSU, denied all the allegations.

Onos adds, “Each time we kill, we remove the vital organs and take to the herbalist Robinson, who usually would ask us to come back. Robinson used to burn the heart and pound it to make powder substance out of it. It is the powder that he gives us, which we apply before speaking to our victims to make money from them. Any big woman we approach obliges us and provides money for us.”

Reports claim that the second Yahoo boy slumped and died as the Police . Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, revealed the suspects will soon be arraigned in court.

Source: Yahoo ritualists narrate how they killed DELSU first-class student

Related article:

3 days after DELSU student was declared missing, she is found dead with tongue and breast missing

This infamy happened three days after she was declared missing.

Published: November 19, 2018 – Refreshed November 20, 2018
By: Motolani Alake

A few weeks ago, Pulse reported the death of a beautiful woman with vital organs missing, while a wailing child was beside her. Three days ago, “missing” posts and news surfaced across Twitter and Facebook that Delta State University student Elozino Ogege could not be found. 

Over the past 24 hours, news made the rounds that Elozino Ogege had been found by residents along Ekrejeta road in Abraka Community, Ethiope-East Local Government Area of Delta State with her tongue and breasts missing.

According to Wuzup Naija, Delta State Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka said, “The family of the girl is going through excruciating pain. They have not been informed.”

With the complaints of ritual killings, murder, kidnappings, armed robbery, rape, and other issues on the rise in that vicinity, students suspect Ogege might have been killed for ritual purposes.

Chairman of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Comrade Prince Kehinde-Taiga used the Daily Post to call for the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Mustafa whom he says has been sleeping on duty while atrocities have continued raging.

Taiga says, “The perpetrators must be brought to book without any form of compromise. The CP must wake up from his slumber because justice must be served.”

Investigations are still ongoing.

Source: 3 days after DELSU student was declared missing, she is found dead with tongue and breast missing

Nigeria – Delta State (in red)

Nigeria: reactions trail Delta killings by ritualists, Yahoo Yahoo boys

Published: November 26, 2018 – 7:38 AM
By: Emma Amaize

SABA—RESIDENTS of Delta State are enraged at the activities of suspected ritualists and internet fraudsters (Yahoo Yahoo plus boys) who abduct and kill citizens, especially women, make away with their vital organs and panties reportedly for money-making rituals.

There have been alarming cases of attacks and disappearances of persons at Jesse, Sapele, Abraka, Oghara, Ughelli and Warri in recent weeks.

Besides the latest kidnap, killing and harvesting of breasts and tongue of a First Class undergraduate of Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Elozino Ogege, which sparked the latest anger, suspected ritualists beheaded a widow at Oghara, the country home of former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, in a similar manner, recently.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammad Mustafa, followed up on his promise, last Monday, to track down Elozino’s killers, with reports that at least four suspects, including two Yahoo Yahoo boys, a native doctor and security guard, have been arrested.

Operatives of the Special Armed Robbery Squad, SARS, stormed Effurun, last Monday, and apprehended a native doctor allegedly working with the criminals, while detectives were searching for the fleeing suspects.

PDP, Uduaghan react

Former governor of the state and All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial candidate in Delta South senatorial district, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, took to his Facebook page, weekend, to bemoan Elozino’s killing, calling on the security agencies to be more alive to enforce the law to stop the menace of Yahoo Yahoo boys, ritualists and cultists.

He said in all the commentaries on the incidents, “there seems to be a consensus that what happened to Elozino is the collective failure of government, parents, uncles, aunties, the church and schools.”

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, on Sunday, also called on the Police and other relevant security agencies to unravel the perpetrators.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, in a statement, urged the Police to “ensure that adequate security measures are put in place to rid Delta State of the evil menace of ritual killing and other disciples of the dark arts operating anywhere in the state.”

A lawyer and activist, Frank Oseya, said: “Majority is of the view that it was the handiwork of ritualists masquerading as Yahoo boys.

“A minority is of the view it could be politicians, since we are in election season and the fetish ones are on the prowl to renew their ‘black power’.

“Ritual killings have become very rampant in recent times, coinciding with a worrisome upsurge in the number of very young boys riding in very expensive cars, building mansions and flaunting unexplainable wealth.”

The suspects almost deceived me—Lawyer

Human rights activist and lawyer, Maxwell Ogedegbe, who rejected a brief from some accomplices in the Elozino murder after he found out that they were Yahoo boys, said they almost misled him by accusing SARS of unprofessional conduct.

Ogedegbe said when he called Commissioner Mustafa, who requested him to get in touch with the officer in charge, SARS, he got a true picture of things.

The late Elozino Ogege

Source: Reactions trail Delta killings by ritualists, Yahoo Yahoo boys

Related articles:

Nigeria: Delta State Governor Okowa orders crackdown on ‘Yahoo Boys’, condoles with Ogege’s family

Published: November 26, 2018 – 8:47 AM
By: Vanguard Nigeria

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa on Monday condoled with the family of Miss Elozino Ogege, a 300 level student of Mass Communication Department, Delta State University, (DELSU), Abraka who was brutally murdered by suspected ritualists masquerading as “Yahoo boys”.

Governor Okowa who was greatly distraught by the sad development has ordered a serious crackdown on all “Yahoo boys”, ritualists and all those involved in unexplainable and sudden wealth in the state. 

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu in Asaba on Monday, the Governor expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family, the Isoko nation and the Delta State University Abraka community.

Mr Charles Aniagwu

The Governor notes with serious concern and worry, the increasing and disturbing activities of suspected ritual killers and criminally minded individuals, whose obtrusive and flamboyant escapades are becoming more conspicuous.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, It is with a heavy heart that i write to express our profound commiserations to the family of Miss Elozino Ogege, the Isoko nation, her friends, both within and outside the University community”.

“I am glad that the security agencies have made serious progress in the investigation into the murder and i can assure Deltans and Nigerians that justice will be served on the perpetrators of this dastard act.

The Governor appreciates the solidarity exhibited by Deltans and Nigerians in condemning the bizarre act and urged security agencies in the state and country to commence a massive crackdown on these criminal elements veneering as “Yahoo Boys”.

“As a government whose primary responsibility is the protection of lives and property as well as the welfare of her citizens, i urge Deltans and Nigerians to partner with the government and report to security agencies the activities of these gangs with a view to asistting the society get rid of such dangerous groups. Never again as a people shall we condone the activities of these known criminals as we all seem to agree that “enough is enough”.

“May the soul of Miss Elozino Ogege and all those who lost their lives in similar circumstances find eternal rest in the bosom of God Almighty,” the governor wrote.

Source: Okowa orders crackdown on ‘Yahoo Boys’, condoles with Ogege’s family

Another article:

Nigeria: Outrage in Delta State over killings, abductions by suspected ritualists, Yahoo Yahoo boys

Published: November 25, 2018 – 12:47 PM
By: Emma Amaize

ASABA- RESIDENTS of Delta State are enraged at the activities of  suspected ritualists and “Yahoo Yahoo boys,” who  abduct and kill citizens, especially the female folk, make away with their vital organs and panties for moneymaking rituals.

There have been alarming attacks and disappearances of unsuspecting  victims  at Jesse, Oghara Sapele, Abraka, Oghara, Ughelli and Warri in recent weeks.

Besides the latest kidnap, killing and stealing of breasts and tongue  of a first- class undergraduate of Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Elozino Ogege , which sparked the latest anger,  suspected ritualists beheaded  a widow at Oghara, the country home of former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, in a similar manner, recently.

Elozino’s killing was very pathetic for they abducted and whisked her to a hideout where they dismembered her despite her fervent cry for mercy.

However, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammad Mustafa, followed up on his promise, last Monday, to track down the killers of Elozino with reports that at least four suspects, including two Yahoo boys, a native doctor and security guard have been arrested.

Operatives of the Special Armed Robbery Squad, SARS stormed Effurun, last Monday, and apprehended a native doctor allegedly working with the criminals,  while detectives were combing for the fleeing suspects.

Former governor of the state and All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial candidate in Delta South senatorial district, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, took to his Face Book page, weekend,  to bemoan the dastard killing of Elozino, calling on the security agencies to be more alive to enforce the law to stop the menace of Yahoo Yahoo boys, ritualists and cultists.

He said in all the commentaries on the dastardly act, “There seems to be a consensus that what happened to Elozino in the hands of ritualists is a collective failure of government, parents, uncles, aunties, the church, schools.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, on Sunday, also called on the police and other relevant security agencies to unravel the perpetrators of this terrible act bring them to book.

Publicity secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, in a statement, urged the police to “ensure that adequate security measures are put in place henceforth to rid the entire Delta state of the evil menace of ritual killers and other disciples of the darks arts operating anywhere in the state.”

“The brazen way and manner surrounding the abduction and subsequent murder of Miss Ogege and the subsequent discovery of her mutilated and decomposing remains, suggests that a throbbing yet frightening cartel of ritual killers and diabolic groups of cultist, is possibly thriving and operating unhindered and with conniving complicity of the town folks of the communities,” the party said.

A lawyer and activist, Frank Oseya, said, “Majority opinion is of the view that it was the handiwork of money ritualists masquerading as yahoo boys. Minority is of the view that it this could be politicians at work since we are in election season and the fetish ones are on the prowl to renew their ‘black power’.”

“Ritual killings have become very rampant in recent times, coinciding with a worrisome upsurge in the number of very small boys riding in very expensive cars, building mansions and flaunting unexplainable wealth,” he said.

Oseya blamed parents who flaunt their yahoo children’s illicit wealth without questioning, government that provided no job for the teeming unemployed for the madness.

Human rights activist and lawyer, Maxwell Ogedegbe, who rejected a brief from some accomplices in Elozino murder after he found out that they were yahoo boys, said they almost misled him by accusing SARS of operatives of unprofessional conduct.

Ogedegbe said it was when he called Commissioner Mustafa, who requested him to get in touch with the Officer in charge, SARS, that he got the true picture of things.

Source: Outrage in Delta State over killings, abductions by suspected ritualists, Yahoo Yahoo boys

And another related article:

Nigeria: ASUU-DELSU condemns murder of student

Published: November 22, 2018 – 8:10 AM
By: Vanguard Nigeria

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Delta State University, Abraka Branch (ASUU-DELSU) has raised alarm over the activities of ritual killers in the University town, and especially condemned the recent killing of Elozino Joshuala Ogege, a 300 level student of Mass Communication.

In a statement jointly signed by the Branch Chairman, Professor Abel Diakparomre and Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, the Union condemned the abduction and subsequent murder of Miss Ogege.

While the Union commends the speedy response of the University, the Police and other security agencies to the report of Miss Ogege’s disappearance and their final unraveling of the young lady’s fate and apprehension of dastardly act, the Union, in its statement called on the State Government, Security Agencies and the Abraka Community to synergize efforts to keep Abraka free of criminality. ​

The Union noted that the Delta State University, over her short period of existence has become a reputable institution and one of the most sought after universities in Nigeria. The Union thus called on all relevant agencies not to allow the University’s name to be tarnished by criminal elements who now brazenly identify themselves as “yahoo boys”.

The Union leaders added that the surging criminality in the town does not only pose danger to the students and staff of the University and other residents of the town but is also a slur to the entire image of the State and the Nation. ​ASUU-DELSU while sympathizing with the parents of Elozino and the Mass Communication Department, described the death of the First Class student as an irreparable loss.

It would be recalled that Miss Ogege was declared missing last Thursday but concerted effort by the Police and the Delta State University authority led to the arrest of a key suspect at Abraka. The suspect later made confessional statements at the Police headquarters that led to the arrest of two other suspected “yahoo boys” with whom the first arrested suspect allegedly murdered Miss Ogege.

Source: ASUU-DELSU condemns murder of student

Nigeria – Delta State (in red)

Mali: Salif Keita retires, his Golden Voice falls silent

This tribute to Salif Keita is long overdue. I first met this great Malian musician in Ségou, a regional capital city in south-central Mali in the early 1980s. With a big band of more than 20 musicians, Salif Keita performed in the open air court of a second-rate hotel in the outskirts of this modest city. It was a hot, humid Saturday night in August, 1984. We were in the middle of the rainy season. I was struck by the versatility of his music: African, Caribbean, Latin American, jazzy. He captivated the audience, all music lovers from Mali. I was the only white person in the crowd. From that day on, I was a passionate fan of this allround musician and singer.

I was also very much impressed by Salif Keita’s modesty. Greeting ceremonies in Mali are complicated and lengthy. One day, in the late 1980s, I was standing next to the reception desk in the lobby of (then) one of Mali’s most luxurious hotels – Hotel de l’Amitié in Bamako, the country’s capital – waiting for an appointment who was late.  It was around 7:30 a.m. I saw Salif Keita stepping out of the elevator, walking towards the reception desk and greeting everyone behind the desk . When he was done he continued greeting the by-standers, including me. He took his time, he greeted everybody as if they were his brothers and sisters. Maybe they were, because in Mali many people are related – somehow, somewhere.  

The third time I came face to face with Salif Keita was at the Africa festival in Hertme, the Netherlands, in 2013. Salif had become a middle-aged gentleman in his sixties, slightly corpulent, but his music was as brilliant as ever!

Salif Keita’s star will continue to shine, also after this retirement.  As a person with albinism he has realized one of the most envied goals one can imagine. Millions have enjoyed his music – and still do. He is world famous. In the future he will continue to raise his voice against the discrimination of people living with albinism, against the murder and mutilation of innocent people, men, women, children, even babies who are being victimized because of their albinism.  His last public performance was at a free concert on November 17 in Fana, in Mali, dedicated to the memory of Ramata Diarra, a five-year-old girl with albinism who was brutally murdered then mutilated in a ritual killing in May of this year. It will certainly not be the last time we’ve heard of Salif Keita. His struggle is our struggle. A luta continua!
(webmaster FVDK)

Salif Keita retires, his Golden Voice falls silent

Published: November 24, 2018
By: Charles Onyango-Obbo

Malian afro-pop singer-songwriter Salif Keita. He is unique not only because of his reputation as the “Golden Voice of Africa” but because he has albinism and is a direct descendant of the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keita. FILE PHOTO | NMG 

The great Malian musician Salif Keita, dubbed the “Golden Voice of Africa,” has announced his retirement from performing.

The 69-year-old Keita made the announcement after the release of, supposedly, the last album of his storied career. Titled Another White, it is a cry for the protection of people with albinism, a cause he has championed all his life.

Born into a local royal house, Keita was rejected by his family because of his albinism, considered either a sign of bad luck in many African cultures – or mysterious power, which drives the ritual killing of people with albinism.

In East Africa, Tanzania and Burundi are notoriously dangerous places to be a person with albinism.

Appropriately, Keita gave what could be his last major public performance at a free concert on November 17 in the town of Fana, in Mali, dedicated to the memory of Ramata Diarra, a five-year-old boy living with albinism who brutally murdered then mutilated in a ritual killing early in the year.

I am one of those Africans for whom Keita offered one of the defining sounds of our youthful years. There is something unique about Keita’s generation of musicians, along with other luminaries like Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango, and Guinea’s Mory Kante, and on the more youthful end, Senegal’s Youssou N’dour, to name a few.

First, their music isn’t always overtly political, though it is. They sing in their native tongues, and draw heavily from folk imagery, local culture, history, and communal stories.

Probably as a result of that, they function like mediums, so bring a great ease to their art. It is almost annoying.

Some years ago, at an Africa arts festival in Copenhagen, over the course of a week I watched performances by Keita, N’dour, and Malian kora player Toumani Diabate one after another.

They mesmerised the crowds but Keita and Diabate especially barely broke a sweat. It was as if they could have still have pulled it off even if they were half asleep.

That was in stark contrast to watching the performances of Hugh Masekela or Fela Kuti, some of the most political musicians to have come out of Africa.

They laid into their music and its politics with incredible energy and fury that left you giddy with revolutionary spirit. Going to the street to protest oppression or the bush to join the rebellion, seemed to be the next logical step.

But it’s in that contrast that the music of Keita and others in his musical tribe reveals their relationship to the broader African liberation experience.

In the Cold War era, when music often ran into ideological walls, and the troubled 1970s and 1980s in Africa, Masekela and Kuti played to an internationalist solidarity crowd that had bought into the anti-apartheid and anti-imperialist movements, were angry at the World Order, and wanted to overthrow it.

People like Keita won over the fence-sitters, the ignorant, the soccer moms, and people of goodwill. They didn’t fit the stereotype of flame-throwing radicals, and thus lowered the cost of embracing progressive African causes in a polarised world.

Closer home, The Man, Congolese great Franco Luambo Makiadi, had a similar effortless genius.

One of the most accomplished musicians Africa will ever produce, on stage his massive figure seemed a strangely reluctant presence – until he opened his mouth and moved his guitar fingers.

Charles Onyango-Obbo is publisher of data visualiser Africapaedia and Rogue Chiefs. Twitter@cobbo3

Source: Salif Keita retires, his Golden Voice falls silent

Nigeria: Police arrest two Yahoo boys, security guard over DELSU Student’s suspected ritual murder

The number of suspected ritual killings in Nigeria… unfortunately, countless…! Of course, Nigeria is Africa’s most populated country, so no wonder, what happens elsewhere, happens in Nigeria manyfold. Be that as it may, the number of suspected or established ritual killings in Nigeria is revolting. Below another example, but there are too many to reproduce here. (webmaster FVDK)

Nigeria:
Police arrest two Yahoo boys, security guard over DELSU Student’s murder

Published: November 23, 2018
By: Ochei Matthew, Asaba

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammad Mustafa, said the command has arrested two Yahoo boys and a security guard over the murder of a female Delta State University student, Elozino Joshualia Ogege.

Elozino, 22, and 300 level student of Mass Communication was found dead in a bush at the outskirts of Abraka, Delta State, on November 18, 2018, after she was declared missing on the November 15.

The police boss told journalists on Friday in Asaba that the DELSU student was murdered by persons suspected to be ritual killers.

He reiterated that his command would not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that all the persons connected to the crime were arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

Mustafa said, “Some of the major suspects connected to the crime had been arrested and currently assisting the police with their investigation.”

He also asked the public to avail the command with credible information that would lead to the arrest of other actors in the crime.

Source: Police arrest two Yahoo boys, security guard over DELSU Student’s murder

Nigeria – Delta State (in red)

Mali: Salif Keïta rejects the tragic fate of albinos “sold in pieces”

Salif Keïta dénonce le sort tragique des albinos «vendus en pièces détachées»

Salif Keita rejects the tragic fate of albinos “sold in pieces”

Malian singer Salif Keïta at a press conference in Nairobi, Kenya, on August 25, 2015 ringing alarm bells about the tragic fate of albinos in Tanzania where presidential elections will be held shortly. Le chanteur malien Salif Keïta, lors d’une conférence de presse à Naïrobi (Kenya) le 25 août 2015. Il avait tiré la sonnette d’alarme sur le sort tragique des albinos en Tanzanie à la veille des élections présidentielles dans ce pays.

Published: September 21, 2018 – 2:48 PM
By: Martin Mateso

There is no reason to lean back even though the disaster is widespread, repeats Malian singer Salif Keïta. He prepares an international conference on the tragic fate albinos are facing, planned for November 2018 in Bamako, Mali. Everywhere on the African continent, people with albinism are being chased by ruthless criminals who commit their heinous crimes unpunished.

Salif Keïta is still in shock after the ritualistic killing of a 5-year old Malian girl, Ramata Diarra, who was abducted by armed men who beheaded her, in Fana (Mali) on May 13, 2018 and fled with her head.

Ritual murders that go unpunished

A suspect was arrested but the authorities have never published the results of the investigation held after the murder of Ramata Diarra. For this reason the Malian singer is worried. He fears that in the end this crime will be another murder case that will never be solved.

(…) “Each time when elections are being held, two, three, even more than ten albinos disappear” Salif Keïta accuses. (…)

Translated by the webmaster FVDK.

The original article, in French, is much longer and reads as follows:

Il n’est pas question de baisser les bras malgré l’ampleur du désastre, martèle le chanteur malien Salif Keita. Il prépare, pour le mois de novembre 2018 à Bamako, un forum international sur le sort tragique des albinos, décimés aux quatre coins du continent africain, en toute impunité.

Salif Keita est encore sous le choc depuis qu’une fillette malienne de 5 ans, Ramata Diarra, a été enlevée par des hommes armés qui l’ont éventrée et décapitée, le 13 mai 2018 à Fana, dans le centre du Mali. Sa tête a été emportée par ses ravisseurs.

Des crimes rituels qui restent impunis
Un suspect a été arrêté par la police, mais aucune suite de l’enquête n’a été rendue publique. D’où l’inquiétude du chanteur malien. Il a peur que ce crime s’ajoute à une série d’autres dont les enquêtes n’ont jamais abouti.

«Les albinos veulent vivre sans être poursuivis, sans être vendus en pièces détachées… Nous comptons sur les avocats extérieurs, pas sur les avocats maliens pour nous aider à creuser ce problème. Nous allons nous battre pour cela», a-t-il déclaré à la presse en lançant une campagne de sensibilisation sur l’albinisme.

Des Noirs à la peau blanche
Salif Keita est lui-même atteint d’albinisme, une maladie héréditaire qui provoque une absence partielle ou totale de pigmentation de la peau, des cheveux et des yeux. Des Noirs à la peau blanche perçus comme une malédiction.

Les personnes albinos font l’objet de crimes rituels perpétrés par ceux qui leur attribuent des pouvoirs magiques. Leurs organes sont particulièrement recherchés lors des élections par ceux qui sont convaincus qu’il s’agit d’arracher le membre d’un albinos pour remporter un scrutin. Le calvaire de la petite Ramara Diarra a précédé de peu l’élection présidentielle malienne organisée en juillet et en août 2018.

«Chaque fois qu’il y a des élections, il y a deux, trois, voire une dizaine d’albinos qui disparaissent», s’insurge Salif Keita.

Salif Keita, la voix des albinos
Depuis plusieurs années, le chanteur malien lutte contre la folie meurtrière qui frappe les albinos. Il a créé en 2006 la Fondation Salif Keita pour défendre leur cause. La campagne qu’il vient de lancer, en partenariat avec d’autres associations maliennes et ouest-africaines, vise à changer le comportement de ses compatriotes envers les personnes qui vivent avec cette anomalie.

Salif Keita a lui-même été discriminé, méprisé, injurié et humilié avant de se réfugier dans la musique et de connaître un succès international. Il est devenu la voix des albinos à travers le monde et particulièrement en Afrique où il se bat pour leur protection et leur insertion sociale.

«Il est inacceptable que des êtres humains en sacrifient d’autres. C’est le produit de l’ignorance. Les albinos naissent et grandissent comme tout le monde. Ils ont besoin d’être aimés et considérées comme des personnes normales», avait-il confié à l’AFP lors d’une visite en Afrique de l’Est en août 2015.

Salif Keita achevait une visite en Tanzanie où des hommes politiques sont régulièrement accusés d’acheter des membres d’albinos pour faire de la sorcellerie ou pour fabriquer des porte-bonheurs. Selon des experts des Nations Unies, leurs membres sont négociés aux alentours de 600 dollars. Les corps entiers pouvant atteindre 75.000 dollars.

Dans la vidéo ci-dessous, Salif Keita raconte son enfance difficile et le combat qu’il a dû mener dans une société qui le tenait à l’écart (Les albinos d’Afrique, victimes de croyances archaïques, un sujet réalisé par Eleonore Abou Ez pour France Info).

The above illustration is a screenshot of the original. No link attached. Please follow the link in the original article – see “Source” below – to view the video (in French). In the video, Salif Keïta speaks out about the insults, discrimination and other difficulties he had to endure when he was young and his struggle to gain a decent place in the society that rejected him (Albinos in Africa, victims of primitive beliefs, video made by Eleonore Abou Ez for France Info).

Source: Salif Keita dénonce le sort tragique des albinos “vendus en pieces détachées”

In Fana, Mali, a five-year old girl with albinism was murdered in May 2018.

Mali: Salif Keïta gives a live concert in honor of a murdered albino girl

Picture shows famous Malian singer Salif Keïta (center) and members of his foundation giving a live concert in protest against the ritualistic murdering of albinos in Africa – Fana, Mali, on November 17, 2018. AFP | MICHELE CATTANI
Le chanteur malien Salif Keita (au centre) et les membres de sa fondation durant un concert destiné à dénoncer les meurtres rituels d’albinos en Afrique, le 17 novembre 2018 à Fana, au Mali | AFP | MICHELE CATTANI

Au Mali, un concert événement de Salif Keïta rend hommage à une fillette albinos assassinée

Mali: Salif Keïta gives a live concert in honor of a murdered young girl with albinism

Published: November 18, 2018
By: Kassim Traoré – Fana (Mali) (AFP)

Saturday night, legendary Malian singer Salif Keïta gave a live concert, presenting his latest album, in Fana, a small town in the south of Mali, where a 5-year old girl with albinism was found dead – murdered – in May of this year. The live concert was in honor of all murdered albinos in Africa and in protest against these horrible crimes.

In a football stadium packed to capacity in this small town of some 20,000 inhabitants – 120 km from the capital Bamako – 69-year old Salif Keïta, himself albino, was accompanied by Ismaël Lô (from Senegal), Bera, an albino artist from Georgia, Malian comedian Yao and singers Safi Diabaté (Mali) and Maah Koudia Keït (Senegal), all fighting for the noble cause of people living with albinism in Africa.

On May 13, a five-year old girl, Ramata Diarra, was kidnapped by armed men while sleeping at her parents’ place. Her dead body was found a few hours later, beheaded, next to a mosque. People immediately linked her death to a ritual killing in view of the forthcoming elections in the country. (….)

Translated by the webmaster FVDK

For more information see ‘Albino girl abducted and killed in Mali’, dated May 16, 2018 and related articles – on the present website.

The original article, in French, is much longer and reads as follows:

La légende de la musique africaine Salif Keïta a présenté samedi soir son nouvel album à Fana, petite ville du Mali où une fillette albinos de cinq ans a été assassinée en mai, lors d’un concert hommage destiné également à dénoncer les meurtres rituels d’albinos en Afrique.

Dans un stade de football archi-comble, un événement jamais vu dans cette localité de quelque 20.000 habitants située à 120 km de Bamako, le musicien de 69 ans, atteint lui-même d’albinisme, s’était entouré du Sénégalais Ismaël Lô, de l’artiste géorgien albinos Bera, de l’humoriste malien Yaro ou encore des chanteuses malienne Safi Diabaté et sénégalaise Maah Koudia Keït, militante elle aussi de la cause des personnes albinos.

Le 13 mai, la petite Ramata Diarra, cinq ans, avait été enlevée en pleine nuit par des hommes armés alors qu’elle dormait dans la cour de la concession familiale. Son corps décapité avait été retrouvé quelques heures plus tard à côté d’une mosquée. Des associations avaient alors dénoncé un “crime rituel” à l’approche de l’élection présidentielle.

“Pourquoi ôter la vie d’une innocente, d’une fillette de cinq ans? Pourquoi s’attaquer aux albinos? Nous sommes comme tous les autres humains. Nous ne voulons plus voir ça au Mali. Il faut que nos autorités prennent des dispositions, parce que désormais, nous n’allons plus nous taire”, a dit sur scène Salif Keïta.

Chaque année, des dizaines d’albinos sont victimes en Afrique d’attaques, tués et amputés de leurs membres qui sont ensuite utilisés pour des rituels censés apporter richesse et chance.

“Aujourd’hui, tout le monde sait qu’une fillette de cinq ans a été assassinée à Fana parce qu’elle est albinos. Le monde s’est mobilisé pour la cause de ma fille, que ce monde ne baisse plus les bras afin que les albinos puissent vivre en paix partout dans le monde”, a confié à l’AFP, en marge du concert, la mère de la fillette, Diarra Awa Touré.

“Au début je me sentais seule, mais avec ce grand concert et les condamnations faites devant le monde, je ne me sens plus seule”, a-t-elle ajouté.

– ‘Dernier album’ –

Dans l’espace réservé aux invités, juste devant la scène, Ousmane Wélé Diallo, tout de blanc vêtu, explique être venu de Bamako avec sa femme et ses enfants pour “suivre le concert et soutenir notre cause en rendant hommage à Ramata Diarra”. “Je n’aime pas quand il y a trop de lumières, surtout les ampoules géantes de la scène, mais ce soir j’accepte pour notre cause”, ajoute le père de famille, qui comme de nombreux albinos souffre de problèmes de vue.

“Nous sommes ici pour que ce qui est arrivé à Ramata ne se reproduise plus jamais, et cela doit être le combat de nous tous. Plus jamais ça à Fana, au Mali, en Afrique et dans le monde”, a lancé depuis la scène Ismaël Lô. “Personne ne doit sacrifier un albinos pour son pouvoir, personne ne doit vendre les cheveux ou les organes d’un albinos”, a exhorté Safi Diabaté. “Je suis Fana, je suis Ramata, je suis toutes les victimes des ignominies de certains assoiffés de pouvoir”, a ajouté le slameur malien Karim Diallo.

Alors que la soirée est déjà bien avancée, Salif Keïta monte sur scène pour un show de 45 minutes au cours duquel il défend son album “L’autre blanc”, son dernier selon lui, pour lequel il a fait appel à de vieux complices comme l’Ivoirien Alpha Blondy ou la Béninoise Angélique Kidjo, tout en multipliant les clins d’oeil à la jeune génération.

“Je voulais dire au revoir à tous mes fans, parce que si je vais peut-être encore faire de la musique par-ci par-là, je ne prendrai plus le temps de faire un album”, a-t-il confié à l’AFP, estimant avoir “droit à un repos” après 50 ans de carrière.

Source:
Au Mali, un concert événement de Salif Keïta rend hommage à une fillette albinos assassinée

Related article:

Mali: Salif Keïta rend hommage à une fillette albinos assassinée

Malian singer Salif Keïta performing at a live concert in Fana, Mali, on November 17, 2018. Le chanteur malien Salif Keita lors d’un concert de sensibilisation aux violences contre les albinos, le 17 novembre 2018 à Fana (Mali), où une fillette albinos âgée de 5 ans a récemment été assassinée.
© MICHELE CATTANI / AFP

Published: November 19, 2018 – 14:35 PM
By: Géopolis (avec AFP )

Saturday night, legendary Malian singer Salif Keïta gave a live concert, presenting his latest album, in Fana, a small town in the south of Mali, where a 5-year old girl with albinism was found dead – murdered – in May of this year. The live concert was in honor of all murdered albinos in Africa and in protest against these horrible crimes. (…)

A young Malian woman holds her albino baby at a concert given by famous Malien singer Salif Keïta. Une Malienne tient son bébé albinos alors qu’elle assiste au concert de Salif Keita visant à sensibiliser le public aux violences contre les albinos le 17 novembre 2018 à Fana. © MICHELE CATTANI / AFP

“We are here to prevent that what happened to Ramata will ever happen again. This is our common struggle. Never again in Fana, in Mali, in Africa, in the world.”, Ismaël Lô shouted on stage. “Nobody should sacrifice a person with albinism to become richer or stronger; nobody should sell the hair or organs of an albino”, Safi Diabaté cried. “I am Fana, I am Ramata, I am the victim of all these atrocities committed by power-hungry people”, Karim Diallo added.

Translated by the webmaster FVDK

«Nous sommes ici pour que ce qui est arrivé à Ramata ne se reproduise plus jamais, et cela doit être le combat de nous tous. Plus jamais ça à Fana, au Mali, en Afrique et dans le monde», a lancé depuis la scène Ismaël Lô. «Personne ne doit sacrifier un albinos pour son pouvoir, personne ne doit vendre les cheveux ou les organes d’un albinos», a exhorté Safi Diabaté. «Je suis Fana, je suis Ramata, je suis toutes les victimes des ignominies de certains assoiffés de pouvoir», a ajouté le slameur malien Karim Diallo.

Alors que la soirée est déjà bien avancée, Salif Keïta monte sur scène pour un show de 45 minutes au cours duquel il défend son album L’autre blanc,son dernier selon lui, pour lequel il a fait appel à de vieux complices comme l’Ivoirien Alpha Blondy ou la Béninoise Angélique Kidjo, tout en multipliant les clins d’œil à la jeune génération.

«Je voulais dire au revoir à tous mes fans, parce que si je vais peut-être encore faire de la musique par-ci par-là, je ne prendrai plus le temps de faire un album», a-t-il confié à l’AFP, estimant avoir «droit à un repos» après 50 ans de carrière.

A young woman with albinism dances at a live concert given by famous Malian singer Salif Keïta in Fana (Mali) where recently a 5-year old girl with albinism was murdered. Une jeune femme malienne albinos danse lors du concert du chanteur malien Salif Keita, le 17 novembre 2018 à Fana, où une fillette albinos âgée de 5 ans a récemment été assassinée. © MICHELE CATTANI / AFP

Source: Mali: Salif Keïta rend hommage à une fillette albinos assassinée

In Fana, Mali, a five-year old girl with albinism was murdered in May 2018.

Nigeria: ritual murders, human parts dealers on the rise

Published: November 10, 2018 – 2:25 AM
By: Nathaniel Bivan (Abuja) & Itodo Daniel Sule (Lokoja)
Ritual killings and trade in body parts is one crime that has refused to go away in Nigeria. So far, not less than 55 suspects have been arrested in the past one year for human parts-related crimes in states such as Kebbi, Oyo, Kwara, Osun, Lagos, Ogun, Kogi and Nasarawa.

One of the most recent took place in Nasarawa State, where three men were arrested by the Nasarawa State Police Command for allegedly being in possession of human parts. They were reported to have, on November 1, exhumed a freshly buried corpse from a cemetery at Mararaban-Akunza and chopped off an arm.

Then in Ankpa LGA of Kogi State, neighbouring communities have had long-drawn cases of abductions, ritual killings, harvests of human parts, deadly cult activities and gruesome murders. Alarmed, some locals lodged complaints to the police. After months of discreet investigations, the Inspector General of Police Special Tactical Squad first busted a 10-man gang that allegedly specialized in selling  human parts, also responsible for various crimes perpetrated in Ankpa and environs sometime in September 2018.

The kingpin of the gang, 39-year-old Yakubu Hamidu, had prior to their arrest held positions of Secretary of the Local Vigilante Group for five years and was its chairman for one year in Ankpa LGA where he hails from.

Hamidu told the police that in his capacity as leader of the vigilantes, he had access to arms and ammunitions with which he hunted down victims for human parts, especially male and female private organs. He also revealed how they killed four local vigilante men and a police officer in Ofu LGA during one of their operations.

But following the mop-up of arms and ammunitions by the police as directed by the IGP, the crime business nosedived, thus forcing Hamidu to resort to recruiting youths in the community to resuscitate the human parts trade. He had allegedly promised handsome rewards to those he recruited, but the bubble burst when he failed to keep his promise. One of the gang members, 18-year old Ubile Attah decided to turn in  the group to the Inspector-General of Police Special Tactical Squad.

Following the arrest and revelations made by the 10-man gang, the police High Command made further arrests of those allegedly behind the killings and human parts trade.

Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Jimoh Moshood who paraded the suspects in Abuja, said the police began investigation into the group’s activities following repeated cases of abduction, killing, and removal of vital body parts of victims which were reported in Ankpa town and environs as well as the killing of a Police Inspector, Abdul Alfa, at Ejule Police outpost in Ofu LGA while on foot patrol on November 28, 2017. A total of 16 suspects alleged to be responsible for the criminal activities were paraded in Abuja by the police.

The suspects are: Abdulahi Ibrahim Ali, Alhaji Shaibu Adamu, Yakubu Hamidu, Ubile Attah, Julius Alhassan, Shehu Haliru, Abdullahi Tijani, Akwu Audu, Alhaji Abdullahi Zakari, Sale Adama, Musa Abdulahi, Yakubu Yahaya, Adama Shagari, Baba Isah, Isaac Alfa, and Idoko Benjamin. Arms and ammunition recovered from them, according to police, include one pump action rifle, two locally fabricated single barrel guns, and three short axes.

According to Moshood, Hamidu, 39, who is gang leader and native of Ankpa, and the vigilante leader in the community, along with his vigilante guards “are the hit-men responsible for the killings and removal of mostly male and female organs of several victims, including other body parts, such as the head, kidney, and other vital body organs, which they sell within and outside the state for rituals.”

According to the Police spokesperson, Yakubu and his members confessed to the crime and admitted that they were working for one Abdullahi Ibrahim Ali a.k.a Halims and Alhaji Shaibu Adamu a.k.a Aye-Marina, whom they sold the body parts to.

Moshood noted that Ibrahim has allegedly “used the proceeds of crime to build and own many properties, including big hotels and several filling stations in Kogi State, while Alhaji Adamu who is without any known profession or means of livelihood was suspected to have built mansions and four filling stations in Ankpa, and another four at Onyangede in Benue State with the proceeds of the crime.”

According to him, the suspects further confessed to the killings and removal of body parts of victims whose names they gave as James, Christopher, Mohammed, Small Case, Omu and one Inspector Abdul Alfa who was ambushed and axed to death in Ofu.

Some of the suspects confessed that they paid N500,000 for female organs and N300,000 for male organs by those that contracted them. The police have since charged the suspects before a Kogi Senior Magistrate Court in Lokoja.

Ibrahim, who was alleged to be one of the ‘contractors’, however said that he knew nothing about the said crime, adding that his ordeal was orchestrated by his political enemies. He is currently the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Ankpa/Olamaboro/Omala constituency in the 2019 general election.

In the meantime, Ibrahim, Adamu and Ukubile had been granted bail by the court while the other suspects were still being remanded in police custody in Abuja. Hearing on the matter comes up at the Magistrate Court in Lokoja, on November 12.

The cases continue to pile up nationwide: On August 13, a suspected ritualist, Ganiyu Idowu, 62, confessed he connived with one Alfa Bamigbola Edun, to use his apprentice for money rituals. The two were paraded by the Ogun State Police Command alongside another accomplice, Matthew Odunewu, at the state police headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta for allegedly kidnapping Ganiyu Akanni for money rituals.

Idowu, a herbalist, said Edun asked him to provide one person for a ritual that would yield N11 million. But Edun denied the accusation, saying he only engaged the herbalist in a mutual exchange of knowledge.

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, said the suspects were arrested at the Ogun River bank in the act of preparing to slaughter the victim for a ritual. “On interrogation, they confessed that the polythene bags found with them were to be used to collect their respective shares of the victim’s body parts after killing him,” he said.

Lagos is also not left out: In August this year a ‘mentally deranged’ couple who resided under a bridge at Cele NICA bus stop, Ojo in Mile 2, Badagry Expressway were nabbed by detectives attached to Ijanikin Police Station of the Lagos State Command, who found them in possession of various human parts.

Another case is that of an Ilorin group of eight suspects allegedly responsible for kidnapping, murder, ritual killings and exhuming dead bodies. They were also said to have been removing and trading in human skulls and other human body parts in Ilorin, Kwara State by police spokesman DCP Moshood. He narrated that during a search operation, eleven human skulls, some pieces of human bones, human hair, and powder suspected to be ground human bones and charms were recovered.

Moshood said the suspects confessed and admitted to have sold 31 human heads to some personalities in Ilorin, other towns in Kwara State and neighbouring states.

Some locals spoke to Daily Trust Saturday, expressing fears that cases will only increase, as the general elections approach. “Some of them believe in arcane things, and subscribe to fetish activities,” one of them said. “They think ritual killings or severed human parts and organs will help them win elections, but they’re wrong. They’re just monsters, with a taste for human life,” he added, “And God will certainly visit his wrath on them.”

– With data compiled by Hassana Yusuf

Source: Ritual murders, human parts dealers on the rise

Nigeria – political map

South Africa: three elderly persons attacked on suspicion of ritual murder

Another case of rumors. Another case of superstition. Another case of mob justice. Between the lines one reads that ritualistic murders are not rare in this region of the republic of South Africa (Limpopo province): ‘With ritual murders rife in the Makonde and Khubvi villages, rumours started doing the rounds about people suspected of having taken part in the killing of the toddler.’ Gruesome reality, the fear is real. Hopefully the authorities react quickly and effectively. Ritual murders have no place in the 21st century.
(webmaster FVDK)

Three elderly persons attacked on suspicion of ritual murder

Published: November 16, 2018
By: Elmon Tshikhudo

A confused and saddened Sondaha Sikhipha, who was attacked on suspicion of involvement in the alleged ritual murder of a three-year-old child.

Three elderly people from Khubvi were seriously beaten on suspicion of being ritual murderers.

The three, who are all cattle herders, met the wrath of the angry community after the disappearance of a three-year-old boy in the village. The toddler, Ndiwakhonadzeo Mukhwathi, who was visiting the village with a relative, was last seen by his family while playing with others at a nearby playground last week.

He has not been seen since and the community, the family and the police have been searching for him at the nearby mountains and rivers, but in vain.

With ritual murders rife in the Makonde and Khubvi villages, rumours started doing the rounds about people suspected of having taken part in the killing of the toddler. On Saturday, the community held a meeting at the local hall to discuss the matter.

Headman Sondaha Sikhipha of Vumbani village said he was also invited as a traditional leader. “While at the meeting, I was surprised when I was pointed out as the killer of the child. I did not know anything about the boy’s disappearance but was beaten and forced to confess. A tyre was put around my neck and I was threatened with death. Realising that I was not giving the information they wanted, they took me to the nearby local tea plantation where a tyre was once again put around my neck, petrol poured on me and they set alight some grass nearby. They tried to push me into the burning grass, but the police arrived on time and saved me,” he said.

Sikhipha further indicated he had suffered severe injuries after being attacked with unknown objects. He added that he was a peace-loving person who had never been involved in a fight. “I know nothing about the disappearance of this boy. I was nearly killed for something that I never did, all because of lies. They took me to a prophet and the prophet indicated that I was not involved, but they are forcing me into admitting to killing the boy. I am very hurt as I speak,” said Sikhipha, who is the father of two grown-up children.

Meanwhile, sporadic incidents of road barricading and stone throwing were reported in the village during the week.

Angry residents have allegedly vowed to expel all those they had identified as ritual killers.

Limpopo police spokesperson Col Moatshe Ngoepe confirmed that some protests were taking place in the area. He said the protests were taking place sporadically and cautioned communities from taking the law into their own hands.

He appealed to the affected communities to give the search operation a chance to unfold further and to refrain from engaging in any form of violence. He added that no one had been arrested so far in connection with the attack on the three elderly residents.

“Anyone with information that can assist to locate the missing toddler is urgently asked to contact Sgt Makhavhu on 076 440 4336 or 015 960 1076, the Crime Stop number 0860 010 111, crime line SMS 32211 or to contact the nearest police station,” said Ngoepe.

Source: Three elderly persons attacked on suspicion of ritual murder

South Africa – Provinces

Guinea: moto taxi driver killed, his organs taken away

The following ritual murder case is not a recent one. It dates from 2014. The reason for reporting it here is to illustrate that also in the West African country of Guinea ritual killings occur. Remember, most cases are not reported or discovered. So this case may be just the tip of the iceberg….

The original article is in French, the official language in Guinea. The translation below is mine.
(webmaster FVDK)

Published: February 4, 2014
By: © koaci.com – Nanita

Guinée : Un chauffeur de moto taxi tué et vidé de ses organes
Guinea: moto taxi driver killed, his organs taken away
Last Monday, the death of a moto-taxi driver whose body was found with several organs missing led to riots in Boké, a city 300 km north of the country’s capital Conakry. The confrontation between police and youngsters of Boké resulted in four severely injured persons and serious material damage.

It all started after the death was announced of a young moto taxi driver who was found dead in the bush, some 3 kilometers outside the city of Boké. His sexual organs and a finger were missing; blood stains were found on the body.

The protesters accused a rich businessman called “Soul” of having organized the ritualistic murder. They looted his shops and house but also shops of other traders. After the police intervened calm was restored. The authorities announced that a thorough investigation will start shortly.

Ritual murders followed by the ‘harvesting’ of organs are never solved in Guinea. The population denounces the indifference of the authorities and the corruption of the police and the legal system, but with no results.

Translated by the webmaster FVDK

Guinée- le 04 février 2014 © koaci.com – La mort d’un chauffeur de moto-taxi retrouvé amputé de plusieurs organes a provoqué lundi des émeutes dans la localité de Boké à plus de 300 km au Nord de Conakry.

Les heurts qui ont opposé les policiers aux jeunes de la localité de Boké ce lundi ont fait quatre blessés graves et de nombreux dégâts matériels.

Tout est parti de l’annonce de la mort d’un jeune chauffeur de moto-taxi retrouvé à plus de trois kilomètres de la ville en plein brousse. Le corps amputé de plusieurs organes, dont les organes génitaux et les doigts avec des traces de sang sur le reste du corps.

Les jeunes accusant un riche commerçant de la localité dénommé ”Soul” d’avoir orchestré cet assassinat à des fins mystiques, s’en sont pris à ses boutiques ainsi qu’à son domicile mais aussi à plusieurs magasins des commerçants de la ville.
Le calme est revenu dans la ville et dans les environs après une intervention musclée de la police. Une enquête serait ouverte pour élucider cette affaire selon les autorités.

En Guinée, les affaires d’assassinats suivis de vols d’organes ne sont jamais élucidées, la population décriant l’indifférence des autorités et la corruption des forces de l’ordre et de l’appareil judicaire.

Source: Guinée : Un chauffeur de moto taxi tué et vidé de ses organes

Zimbabwe: Missing toddler found dead at church shrine, ritual killing suspected

Not all rumors are true, but rumors sometimes reflect a real fear. So, whereas we have to be very cautious to believe rumors, we can still attach some importance to their existence. Why is it that people believe so quickly a rumor that is circulating? Is it because it is so easy to imagine that it’s true? Did something comparable happen which indeed was true? Is it because it is so close to people’s fears?

Psychologists will have their expert view on the meaning and explanation of rumors. For the time being I just reproduce on this site some of the rumors that I encounter during my research on the occurrence of ritual killings in Africa. Not because I blindly believe these rumors. I cannot emphasize enough that we have to be careful in believing and spreading them. One of the purposes of this site on ritual killings in Africa is to help eliminate the fear of ritualistic murders that people in many African countries have. Another objective is to plead for the rule of law. Mob justice cannot be accepted or tolerated.

For these reasons I have decided to include the following rumor about a ritual murder in Zimbabwe after a missing toddler was found dead at a church shrine in Manicaland Province in the east of the country. Read and judge for yourself. (webmaster FVDK)

Missing toddler found dead at church shrine, ritual killing suspected

Published: November 9, 2018
By: Timothy
The Marange community is in a state of shock after a two-year-old child who had been missing for 11 days was found dead at a church shrine. Noah disappeared at the same church shrine in October only for his body be discovered 11 days at the shrine in a state of advanced decomposition. This has led to speculation from members of the community that Noah was killed for ritual purposes by a certain Mutare-based businessman whose name had been withheld. The businessman who has some shops at Marange Business Centre is alleged to have attempted to bribe Chief Marange with $10 000 so that the murder would not be publicised.

Speaking to the Manica Post, Chief Marange said,

I heard about the unfortunate death of the baby. The matter was brought before me. Some villagers stormed my homestead accusing me of sheltering the late Noah’s aunt whom they accused of conniving with the businessman to kill the baby for ritual purposes.

I heard that there is a WhatsApp message in circulation accusing me of conniving with him but that is not true. I never received anything from him. Villagers have been forcing me to summon the businessman but I can’t because there is no proof.

I will only intervene as a traditional leader if police confirm that it was murder and if the perpetrator is identified and there is a need for some compensation.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed that the body had been discovered but refused to provide further details on the case.

Source: Missing toddler found dead at church shrine, ritual killing suspected

Related article:

Toddler vanishes at church shrine … remains discovered 11 days later

Published: November 8, 2018
By: Staff reporter – Zimbabwe Daily

Liberty Dube Weekender Correspondent
A TWO-YEAR-OLD baby was last week found dead at St Noah Shrine in Mafararikwa, Marange 11 days after he mysteriously went missing in a suspected case of ritual killing.

Detectives discovered the body, which was in an advanced state of decomposition in the shrine.

The spine-chilling incident sent tongues wagging in Marange Village with social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp, awash with the occurrence and punctuated by allegations that the baby was killed for ritual purposes by a Marange-based businessman (name withheld). Noah disappeared at a church gathering at the church shrine on October 20 before he was found dead in the shrine on October 31. Police are still investigating the matter.
Noah’s mother Patience Fenyere (28) left him sleeping in a tent at the shrine at around 3pm on October 20. She later returned to discover that he had disappeared. Incessant efforts to locate him proved fruitless. They then alerted police.

‘‘One Arnold Mabiya (44) who works at the shrine stumbled on the body on October 31, which was in an advanced state of decomposition before detectives attended the scene,” said Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa.

Mary Marange

He neither denied nor confirmed if the deceased had missing body parts.

The mysterious death circulated on WhatsApp and the originator alleged that a Marange businessman (name withheld) who has retail shops at Marange Business Centre had a hand in it amid allegations that he attempted to bribe Chief Marange with $10 000 to put the murder case under wraps.

Chief Marange, however, denied the allegations in an interview with the Weekender at his homestead on Monday morning. Villagers interviewed expressed mixed views on the issue with many accusing the businessman of having a hand. Chief Marange confirmed that he last week had to call police after some rouge villagers stormed his homestead demanding to know the truth.

Chief Marange

“I heard about the unfortunate death of the baby. The matter was brought before me. Some villagers stormed my homestead accusing me of sheltering the late Noah’s aunt whom they accused of conniving with the businessman to kill the baby for ritual purposes. I heard that there is a WhatsApp message in circulation accusing me of conniving with him but that is not true. I never received anything from him. Villagers have been forcing me to summon the businessman but I can’t because there is no proof. I will only intervene as a traditional leader if police confirm that it was murder and if the perpetrator is identified and there is need for some compensation,” said Chief Marange.

Noah’s aunt, Mary Marange who was at the shrine when Noah disappeared said: “We went to a church gathering on the fateful day he was left asleep in the tent. We later came back and realised that he had gone missing. It was sad. Days later I was shocked to hear some of my relatives and villagers accusing me of knowing the person who killed the baby.

‘‘We really don’t know what happened and I am completely clean on this issue,” said Mary who was struggling to compose herself during the interview.  Said one villager: “We heard the story. And we are deeply shocked. The fact that the baby went missing in a shrine for 10 days, only to be found in the same shrine dead with the body in a state of advanced decomposition leaves a lot to be desired. We are hearing that this businessman is behind it and everyone is now afraid even to buy anything from his shop.”

Source: Toddler vanishes at church shrine … remains discovered 11 days later

Provinces of Zimbabwe