Warning: the following post contains graphic details which may upset readers.

Unbelievable. It is incredible. Within a week I receive reports of ritual killings in Eswatini, Nigeria (Enugu and Kwara states), South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. I fear the reported cases are only the tip of the iceberg as many ritual murders – called muthi murders in Southern Africa, and money rituals in Nigeria and Ghana – go unnoticed. People simply disappear in many African states and they are never heard from again. ‘Dissolved in thin air.’

In Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), this year alone, more than a dozen children have reportedly fallen victim to suspected ritual killings.  

Nigeria holds the sad record of highest number of (reported and suspected) ritual murder cases in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Enugu state is under the spell of a sensational ritual murder case: The Double Life of Uche Kingsley Agumba: Church Devotee by Day, Murderous Ritualist by Night.

In Kwara state, Abdulrahman Bello confessed murdering a 24-year-old final year female student of the Kwara state College of Education, Ilorin, Hafsoh Lawal, for ritualistic purposes (‘money ritual’).

Readers interested in the link between money rituals and traditional African religions are advised to read the article Money rituals and our African traditional religions, by Abimbola Adelakun.

In South Africa, a 14-year Roodespoort teenager, Lokhona Fose, was discovered dead, mutilated, in a suspected case of ritual murder.

In Uganda, a former education officer was arrested in a suspected ritual sacrifice case, police exhumed the victim’s body, which was buried in a shallow grave at the home of former Jinja City Education Officer Amina Mutesi.

In Zimbabwe, a baby boy was found dead, murdered. The body of the eight weeks old victim was found with parts missing: his nose and right cheek were ripped off. Police are investigating the murder as a suspected ritual killing.

To be continued.
(webmaster FVDK)