Nigeria: ‘Stop ritual killing of persons living with albinism’ – Jake Epelle

In most African countries, the position of people living with albinism is unfavorable. Rejected by society, mistrusted, discriminated, even living in fear as in many countries attacks on them are frequent. Widespread belief in the supernatural power of their organs or other body parts in combination with an unscrupulous, criminal mind of the perpetrator(s), has resulted in many ritual murders or unexplained disappearances of albino children and adults. Although some countries in Southern and Eastern Africa are notorious for these ugly practices – see my reporting – also in other African countries the position of people living with albinism leaves much to be desired, as the following article on Nigeria demonstrates.
(FVDK)

Stop ritual killing of persons living with albinism – Jake Epelle


Published: March 13, 2022
By: NNN

Mr. Jake Epelle, founder of the Albino Foundation, has called on Nigerians and Africans to stop killing people living with albinism for ritual purposes. 

Epelle made the appeal when he appeared on the Nigerian News Agency Forum special talk show on Sunday in Abuja.

He said “when the news got out that there were rituals coming out of all the African countries, Tanzania and all that; It is not only true, I have seen it with my own eyes.”

According to him, the country has seen its share of cases of people living with albinism killed for ritual purposes.

He said that in April 2014 he was about to be a victim but was able to escape from the driver who tried to take him to an unknown destination.

“These are issues surrounding albinism that have not been touched on,” he said.

Epelle added that the foundation had also done a lot to ensure the protection of people with disabilities in the country, including finding police hotlines.

He said, “I have gone to the police to ask for hotlines where my members can call or encourage our members to report cases that we need to pursue.

“The Disability Rights Fund once gave us money with which we train people with albinism on how to protect their rights, how to promote their rights, and how to prosecute those who violate their rights.”

He said that the Albino Foundation inaugurated ‘the champion of albinism’ and compiled manuals in different languages ​​to correct some of the myths and superstitions about albinism.

Epelle therefore called on the public to grant people with disabilities compassion and fair treatment so that they can live their lives without fear of being raped.

Source: Stop ritual killing of persons living with albinism – Epelle

More:

Stop killing persons with albinism for ritual, Albino Foundation cries out

Founder of the Albino Foundation, Jake Epelle, says he’s a witness and was almost a victim of ritual killings.

Published: March 13, 2022
By: PG People’s Gazette

Jake Epelle, Founder of the Albino Foundation, has appealed to Nigerians and Africans to stop killing people living with albinism for ritual proposes.

Mr Epelle made the appeal when he featured on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum special interview programme on Sunday in Abuja.

“When the news broke that there were rituals coming out of all African countries, Tanzania and all that; not only is it true, I have seen it with my eyes,” he said. 

He said the country has witnessed its share of cases of persons with albinism being killed for ritual proposes, citing himself as an example. 

He narrated how in April 2014, he was almost a victim when a driver tried to take him to an unknown destination.

“These are issues that surround albinism that have not been touched,” he said.

Mr Epelle added that the foundation had also done a lot to protect persons living with disabilities in the country, including seeking hotlines from the police.

He said, “I have gone to police to ask for hotlines where my members can call or encourage our members to report cases that we have to follow up.

“The Disability Rights Fund had once given us money with which we trained persons with albinism on how to protect their rights, how to promote their rights and how to prosecute those who violate their rights.”

He said that the Albino Foundation had inaugurated the ‘Albinism Champion’ and compiled handbooks in different languages to correct some of the myths and superstitions about albinism.

Mr Epelle appealed to the public to accord persons with disability compassion and fair treatment to enable them live their lives without fear of being violated.

Souce: Stop killing persons with albinism for ritual, Albino Foundation cries out