Unfortunately, killing or murdering for ritualistic purposes is no unknown crime in Ghana. It originates from traditional practices and beliefs (read: superstition). As in many more SSA countries, ritualistic killers do not hesitate to attack, abduct and abuse innocent victims, sometimes at random, just for their own, personal motives: to get-rich-quick or to enhance their prestige or political power.
This is what happened – or almost happened – in Ghana’s Eastern Region when four individuals attempted to murder a 12-year old girl, apparently for ritualistic purposes as they attempted to cut off her breast. Happily they got caught and fled.
Published: January 12, 2025 By: Neil Nii Kanarku– CitiNewsRoom, Ghana
A 13-year-old girl narrowly escaped an alleged ritual killing after being abducted by four unidentified men on Friday at Aburi-Kitase in the Akuapem South Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The teenager, who lives near the residence of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, went missing around 8 pm while heading to buy food in Kitase.
According to Citi News sources, the abductors had bound the girl’s hands and legs and were reportedly preparing to harm her by slashing her breast. However, they fled the scene when a good Samaritan fired warning shots upon discovering their activities.
Speaking to Citi News, the Assembly Member for the Kitase Electoral Area, Frank Amankwah, confirmed the incident and linked the growing insecurity in the area to the malfunctioning streetlights along the Ayi Mensah to Peduase Lodge stretch.
Amankwah called on the Inspector General of Police to bolster security in the area and address the rising prevalence of social vices near the Peduase Presidential Lodge.
“I have made several complaints about these traffic issues. From Ayi Mensah to Peduase Lodge, the street lights situated there are all not functioning. Boys from Ashiaman, Madina, Nungua, and nearby towns all come here, so if something like this happens, we cannot identify the source of it.
“So, I am pleading for adequate security in the area. It is very unfortunate how loose the security is in Peduase Lodge. I plead with the IGP and all the security apparatus to come to our aid.” he urged.
13-year-old girl survives alleged ritual murder attempt in Eastern Region
Published: January 12, 2025 By: Myjoyonline, Ghana
A 13-year-old girl narrowly escaped from an alleged ritual killing after being abducted by four unidentified men in Aburi-Kitase, located in the Akuapem South Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The incident occurred on Friday evening while the teenager went out to buy food around 8 pm.
According to reports, the abductors tied the girl’s hands and legs and were allegedly preparing to harm her, intending to slash her breast as part of their ritual.
However, their plans were thwarted when a passer-by, alarmed by the unfolding situation, fired warning shots, forcing the men to flee the scene.
Frank Amankwah, the Assembly Member for the Kitase Electoral Area, confirmed the incident in an interview with Citi FM.
He attributed the growing insecurity in the area to the non-functional streetlights along the Ayi Mensah to Peduase Lodge stretch, which have left the area poorly lit and vulnerable to criminal activities.
Amankwah expressed concern about the rising cases of social vices near the Peduase Presidential Lodge and urged the Inspector General of Police to enhance security in the area.
He explained that the lack of proper lighting and surveillance has made it difficult to identify culprits, with individuals from surrounding towns taking advantage of the situation to commit crimes.
“It is troubling that the streetlights from Ayi Mensah to Peduase Lodge are all out of order, and this has created a haven for miscreants.”
“I appeal to the IGP and other security authorities to prioritise our safety and address this issue promptly,” he stated.
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Warning: the following post contains graphic details which may upset readers
Ogun State has a notorious reputation with respect to ritualistic killings (‘money rituals’). On many occasions in the past I have paid attention to the scourge of ritual related violence in this southwestern state of Nigeria.
Nigeria consist of 36 states. Ogun State has a surface area of only 16,762 km2 ranking 24th. The state borders Oyo State in the north, Osun State and Ondo State in the east and Lagos State in the south. It shares its western border with the neighboring republic of Benin. With an estimated population of 6.5 million people (2024), predominantly Yoruba, Ogun State is one of the most populated states in the southwestern part of Nigeria ranking 13thnationwide. Its capital Abeokuta is the state’s most populous city (about one million).
Early January, at the start of 2025, Ogun State Police Command has paraded 18 suspected criminals for various crimes ranging from murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, and ritual killings among other crimes at different locations in the state. (….) The Commissioner of Police, Mr Lanre Ogunlowo noted that last month (December 2024) the command also arrested 45-year-old twins, Yemitan Taiwo and Yemitan Kehinde for allegedly killing and dismembering a female around the Lafenwa area of Abeokuta for ritual purposes. (See the last article below).
The police spokesman also used the occasion to warn against the dangers of the growing “hookup culture,” especially for young women who engage in casual relationships with unfamiliar men for financial gain. I will return to this specific topic with a special posting in the near future.
The case of the twin brothers implicated in the murder of a sex worker for ritualistic purposes is presented below in full details. (webmaster FVDK).
Ogun State Police Command has paraded 18 suspected criminals for various offences ranging from murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, and ritual killings among other crimes at different locations in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Lanre Ogunlowo while parading the suspects at the Police headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta attributed the success recorded to the provision of an Armed Personnel Carrier, and drone by Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
Mr Ogunlowo pointed out that among those paraded included 31-year-old Tolani Jeremiah, 20-year-old Akande Suru and 24-year-old Edwin Jatto who allegedly hacked the WhatsApp account belonging to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni of State CID, Eleweran and defrauded the victim’s family and friends of the sum of one million one hundred and fifteen thousand nairas under the false pretence that the victim needed urgent financial assistance.
He noted that the command also arrested 45-year-old twins, Yemitan Taiwo and Yemitan Kehinde for allegedly killing and dismembering a female around the Lafenwa area of Abeokuta for ritual purposes.
The Police Commissioner solicited cooperation and support in the collective effort to keep Ogun State safe and peaceful.
Mr Ogunlowo appealed to the residents of the state to provide the police with timely information to aid their efforts in preventing and addressing criminal activities.
Ogun State Police arrest twin brother of ritualist for murder & mutilation of female victim
Published: January 1, 2025 By: Mister Jay Wonder – Gistmania, Nigeria
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested Kehinde Yemitan, the twin brother of Taiwo Yemitan, who was previously apprehended in connection with the ritualistic murder of a female victim, Darasimi. Kehinde was arrested on Monday, December 30, 2024, after a tip-off led authorities to his hiding place in the Ilogbo community.
Taiwo Yemitan, along with an accomplice, Kazeem, was arrested on Sunday, December 22, 2024, for the gruesome killing of Darasimi, a female night worker. The trio allegedly lured the victim to Taiwo’s residence, located behind Atinsola petrol station in the Sanni area of Abeokuta, where they killed her for ritual purposes. The police had previously discovered a fresh human head and dismembered body parts believed to belong to Darasimi.
According to Ogun State Police spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, Kehinde was tracked down following a report from a volunteer informant. The informant provided valuable information that led to Kehinde’s location in the Ilogbo community. The police, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, promptly launched a manhunt and apprehended him.
During questioning, Kehinde admitted to conspiring with his twin brother Taiwo and Kazeem to carry out the heinous crime. Local community members also confirmed his involvement in other criminal activities. Kehinde has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The police have once again issued a public warning regarding the dangers of the growing “hookup culture,” especially for young women who engage in casual relationships with unfamiliar men for financial gain. SP Odutola stressed that women should seek sustainable means of income and be cautious of falling into similar dangerous situations.
In light of this tragic event, the Ogun State Police Command has intensified efforts to raise awareness about the risks young women face in such engagements. Authorities are urging caution, especially as the investigation into Kehinde’s role in the crime continues.
Further updates will be provided as the case progresses. The police have appealed to young women to view this incident as a cautionary tale and remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to similar ritual killings.
Twin brothers kill, dismember sex worker in Ogun State
Published: January 1, 2025 By: James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta – Vanguard, Nigeria
Operatives of Ogun State Police command, on Tuesday, said it arrested one Kehinde Yemitan, a murder and ritualist suspect at his hiding in Ilogbo Ota community of Ogun State.
The suspect’s twin brother, Taiwo had earlier been arrested on December 22 alongside one Kazeem for the alleged murder and dismembering of one Darasimi.
The victim is a commercial sex worker, who was lured to the suspects’ Abeokuta residence and killed.
The spokesperson of the state police command, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Odutola said, “Having been fingered as one of the accomplices to the tragic crime, the police surveillance team in collaboration with the So Safe Corps were said to have been on the look out for Kehinde until intelligence gave out his hideout on Monday.
“On December 30, 2024, at about 5 p.m., the Divisional Police Officer of Sango Otta received a tip from a volunteer informant indicating that Kehinde Yemitan, the twin brother of Taiwo Yemitan, was hiding in the Ilogbo community.
“The Police launched a manhunt for Kehinde in connection with murder and the mutilation of one Darasimi, surname unknown, on the 22nd of December, 2024 when his twin brother, Taiwo, and Kazeem were arrested at about 1 p.m., by the Divisional Police Officer of Lafenwa after the duo lured their victim Darasimi, a night sex worker in Abeokuta to their house for ritual purposes.
“Following this information, a surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, promptly mobilized to the community and apprehended the suspect.
“Several community members also confirmed his involvement in criminal activities.”
Yemitian was said to have been been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.
Meanwhile, Odutola has urged young women to desist from engaging in casual friendship or relationship for pecuniary gains otherwise called “hookup’, given the perennial danger inherent in such unholy relationship.
The police spokesperson urged parents to also join the police in raising awareness about the danger of getting involved in vices such as prostitution that could readily cut people’s life short.
She said, “A further appeal goes to the teeming young females to see this unfortunate incident as a big lesson and be cautious not to fall victim to another ritual killing.”
Published: January 1, 2025 By: TSJ Reporter 2 – Street Journal, Nigeria
Officers of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested two brothers whose names are Taiwo and Kehinde Yemitan alongside a man identified as Kazeem for murdering and dismembering the remains of a sex worker identified as Darasimi in Ilogbo, Ado-Odo/Ota local government area (LGA) Ogun State.
This was revealed via a statement by the state’s police spokesperson Superintendent (SP) Omolola Odutola on Tuesday, December 31.
She noted that Darasimi was lured to the residence of Kehinde in Abeokuta, where she was killed and her body parts were dismembered.
The statement read, “Having been fingered as one of the accomplices to the tragic crime, the police surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, was on the lookout for Kehinde until intelligence revealed his hideout on Monday.
“On December 30, 2024, at about 5 p.m., the Divisional Police Officer of Sango Otta received a tip from a volunteer informant indicating that Kehinde Yemitan, the twin brother of Taiwo Yemitan, was hiding in the Ilogbo community.
“The Police launched a manhunt for Kehinde in connection with the murder and mutilation of one Darasimi, surname unknown, on the 22nd of December, 2024, when his twin brother, Taiwo, and Kazeem were arrested at about 1 p.m. by the Divisional Police Officer of Lafenwa after the duo lured their victim Darasimi, a night sex worker in Abeokuta, to their house for ritual purposes.
“Following this information, a surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, promptly mobilised the community and apprehended the suspect.”
Odutola mentioned that the suspect confessed to collaborating with others to commit the crime in Abeokuta, noting that several local residents had also verified his involvement in criminal activities.
She then stated that the suspects have been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran, Ogun State for further questioning.
The police spokesperson then urged young women to exercise caution and avoid participating in ‘hookups’ or other reckless behaviors to prevent falling victim to ritual killings and other crimes.
She also called on parents and guardians to collaborate with the police in raising awareness about the risks of prostitution.
“A further appeal goes to the teeming young females to see this unfortunate incident as a big lesson and be cautious not to fall victim to another ritual killing,” the statement concluded.
Police nab twins, 1 other over murder of sex worker in Ogun State
Published: January 1, 2025 By: Remi Adebayo – Leadership, Nigeria
Two brothers, Taiwo and Kehinde Yemitan as well as one Kazeem have been apprehended by the operatives of the Ogun State Police Command over their involvement in the killing and dismembering a sex worker identified as Darasimi in Ogun State.
Kehinde was arrested in his hiding at the Ilogbo area of Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of the state after the arrest of his accomplice, Taiwo.
The commercial sex worker, Darasimi, was reported to have been lured to the suspects’ Abeokuta home, where she was killed and dismembered.
Spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday said the victim, Darasimi was lured to the residence of the suspects in Abeokuta where she was murdered and her remains dismembered.
According to the state’s police image maker, “Having been fingered as one of the accomplices to the tragic crime, the police surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, was on the lookout for Kehinde until intelligence revealed his hideout on Monday.
“On December 30, 2024, at about 5 p.m., the Divisional Police Officer of Sango Otta received a tip from a volunteer informant indicating that Kehinde Yemitan, the twin brother of Taiwo Yemitan, was hiding in the Ilogbo community.
“The Police launched a manhunt for Kehinde in connection with the murder and mutilation of one Darasimi, surname unknown, on the 22nd of December, 2024, when his twin brother, Taiwo, and Kazeem were arrested at about 1 p.m. by the Divisional Police Officer of Lafenwa after the duo lured their victim Darasimi, a night sex worker in Abeokuta, to their house for ritual purposes.
“Following this information, a surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, promptly mobilised the community and apprehended the suspect.”
Odutola, in the statement said the suspect admitted to conspiring with others to carry out the crime in Abeokuta, adding that several community members also confirmed his involvement in criminal activities.
According to the Odutola, the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, for further investigation.
The PPRO warned young women to be more cautious and desist from engaging in “hookups” and other indecent ways of life to avoid becoming victims of ritual killings and other crimes.
She further appealed to parents and guardians to join hands with the police in sensitising the public about the dangers of prostitution.
“A further appeal goes to the teeming young females to see this unfortunate incident as a big lesson and be cautious not to fall victim to another ritual killing,” she said.
Ogun sex worker killed, dismembered by twin brothers
Published: January 1, 2025 By: Anthony Ufo – The Guardian
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested two brothers, Taiwo and Kehinde Yemitan, for allegedly killing and dismembering a sex worker, Darasimi, in Ogun State.
One of the suspects, Kehinde, was arrested while hiding in the Ilogbo area of Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State. Before then, his accomplice, Taiwo, had already been arrested by the police.
The commercial sex worker, Darasimi, was reported to have been lured to the suspects’ Abeokuta home, where she was killed and dismembered.
SP Omolola Odutola, the Ogun State Police spokesperson, made this known to the public in a statement on Tuesday.
Odutola said, “Having been fingered as one of the accomplices to the tragic crime, the police surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, was on the lookout for Kehinde until intelligence revealed his hideout on Monday.
“On December 30, 2024, at about 5 p.m., the Divisional Police Officer of Sango Otta received a tip from a volunteer informant indicating that Kehinde Yemitan, the twin brother of Taiwo Yemitan, was hiding in the Ilogbo community.
“The Police launched a manhunt for Kehinde in connection with the murder and mutilation of one Darasimi, surname unknown, on the 22nd of December, 2024, when his twin brother, Taiwo, and Kazeem were arrested at about 1 p.m. by the Divisional Police Officer of Lafenwa after the duo lured their victim Darasimi, a night sex worker in Abeokuta, to their house for ritual purposes.
“Following this information, a surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, promptly mobilized the community and apprehended the suspect.
“He admitted to conspiring with others to carry out the crime in Abeokuta.
“Several community members also confirmed his involvement in criminal activities.”
The suspects, according to the spokesperson, have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, for further investigation of the case.
Odutola also advised young women to be more careful and desist from engaging in “hookups” and other indecent ways of life to avoid becoming victims of ritual killings and other crimes. She also appealed to parents and guardians to join hands with the police in sensitising the public about the dangers of prostitution.
“A further appeal goes to the teeming young females to see this unfortunate incident as a big lesson and be cautious not to fall victim to another ritual killing,” she said.
First announcement by the Ogun State police (late December 2024) confirming the arrest of Taiwo Yemitan for the unlawful possession of human body parts, including a severed head, following the brutal murder of a woman:
Ogun State police nab suspected ritualist,Taiwo Yemitan, for murder & human body parts possession
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old man, Taiwo Yemitan, for the unlawful possession of human body parts, including a severed head, following the brutal murder of a woman identified as Darasimi.
Yemitan was apprehended at approximately 1:40 AM on Sunday in the Lafenwa area of Abeokuta after a tip-off from local security groups, including the Agbekoya and Vigilante operatives. The suspect is accused of luring Darasimi to his residence with the intent to kill her.
Police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrest and provided further details in a statement. According to Odutola, Yemitan admitted to murdering Darasimi and implicated two accomplices, identified as Kehinde Yemitan and one Kazeem, who remain at large. The motive for the killing was to sell the victim’s body parts, including her head.
Odutola further stated that the dismembered body had been taken to the State General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where it is undergoing a post-mortem examination. Yemitan is set to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation. Efforts are also underway to apprehend his accomplices and locate the victim’s relatives.
This tragic incident follows a similar case earlier this year, where a suspect, Azeez Adebayo, confessed to the murders of three women whom he and his accomplices lured through an online dating site.
The police spokesperson urged young women to exercise caution when using online platforms and be aware of the dangers associated with meeting strangers on social media. Odutola advised women to prioritize their safety and use social media’s positive aspects to enhance their well-being.
Reportedly, also in the religious north of Nigeria superstition, greed and ritual crimes occur….
Kano State is located in the North West geopolitical zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Federal Republic of Nigeria is divided into six geopolitical zones commonly called zones.
Nigeria: Elderly Man In Kano State Arrested For Allegedly Hypnotising Victim To Steal Baby And Remove Eyes For Rituals
Operatives from the Bompai Police Station apprehended Yahaya after an individual, whom he had allegedly hypnotised, was caught attempting to carry out the bizarre request.
Published: January 2, 2025 By: Sahara Reporters
An elderly man, identified as Malam Yahaya from the Utoro community in Kano State, has been arrested for allegedly sending an individual to steal a baby to gouge his eyes out for ritual purposes.
Operatives from the Bompai Police Station apprehended Yahaya after an individual, whom he had allegedly hypnotised, was caught attempting to carry out the bizarre request.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, the ‘hypnotised’ person, identified as Kabir Sani, led the police to Yahaya’s residence, where officers discovered disturbing items, including a calabash with an inscription, white and red clothes, and various charms.
Sani said, “My name is Kabir Sani. I reside in Utoro, and I am 25 years old. I came to visit Malam because I was not feeling well. He gave me some medicine with water and told me to use my urine for three days.
“After I came back, he gave me ‘Tulare’ perfume and Hantu. Immediately, my brain shut down, and I was not myself. Anything he told me to do, I did without questioning his authority.
“He told me that he would give me N1 million, but he asked me to go and find a child whose eyes he would remove to use in preparing a charm for a soldier to make him disappear.
“I went to my sister’s house and told her everything Malam Yahaya asked me to do. I told her that I wasn’t myself anymore. I tried to find an 8-month-old child who lives in our house.”
“Unfortunately, I was unable to bring the child because if I had, Malam Yahaya would have removed his eyes. I’m pleading with people to help me beg Malam to return my senses to normal,” Sani added.
When SaharaReporters contacted the Kano State Police spokesperson, Haruna Abdullahi, he did not answer calls or reply to his messages.
Leo Igwe is a famous Nigerian, human rights activist, an indefatigable fighter against superstition, witchcraft and ritualistic murders. In 2020 he started Advocacy for Alleged Witches. On numerous occasions I have praised him on this site for his valuable work fighting superstition, witchcraft and ritualistic violence and helping and supporting the victims of witchcraft and superstition.
The year 2025 is only a few days old, yet Leo Igwe is again at the forefront of the fight against ritualistic attacks and murders, ‘money rituals’, notably in his home country with the following chilling account of an attempt to kidnap a young lady, a university student, who narrowly escaped a violent death.
I have repeatedly stated on this site that Nigeria may be the African country with the highest incidence of ritualistic crimes. Africa’s largest country needs more people like Leo Igwe to help eradicate superstition, witchcraft and violent ritualistic behavior.
There is no place for these outdated practices which violate the human rights of the Nigerian people and make a mockery of the rule of law in Nigeria. (webmaster FVDK)
Ritualists on Rampage in Delta State capital Asaba
Published: January 4, 2025 By: Leo Igwe – New Times, Nigeria
