Reports on ritualistic activities including murders in Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) are few on this site since its start in early 2018. In September 2018 I posted a report on the ritual killing of a four-year old boy, Bouba.

I’ve indicated earlier that there’s a bias in my research which uses sources which are more focused on the anglophone world than on francophone and lusophone countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. I very much regret this situation which for the moment I can’t change.

A few years before Bouba was found murdered, mutilated, clearly for ritualistic purposes, in early 2015, the BBC published a shocking report following the reported kidnapping and killing of at least 20 children in the preceding weeks across the country. Most of the lifeless bodies found showed signs of mutilation, indicating ritualistic motives.

What were the reasons for this surge in ritual murders which took the lives of so many young, innocent children and left their families grieving? Unfortunately, reliable information on the why, how and by whom is lacking. All I can say is that 2015 was an important election year In the Ivory Coast. In October 2015 presidential elections were held. A coincidence? Or an indication of the explaining circumstances?

He or she who knows the answer may contact the webmaster of this site (webmaster FVDK).

Ivory Coast tackles ritual child killings

Published: January 30, 2015
By: BBC

Police in Ivory Coast have set up a special unit to investigate a series of suspected ritual child killings.

At least 20 children have been kidnapped and killed across the country in recent weeks and most of the bodies have shown signs of mutilation. 

Extra police and soldiers have been deployed to patrol known danger spots in the city of Abidjan, including areas around schools. 

The BBC’s Tamasin Ford sent us this report from Abidjan.

Source: Ivory Coast tackles ritual child killings