The following article, below, resonates deeply with me. In recent years, I have written so often about ritual murders in Nigeria (‘money business’) that it will surprise no one what moved the writer of this article. In Africa’s most populous country, ritual murders are committed perhaps daily: murders with ritual motives, superstition, belief in the power of ‘juju’, with the aim of enriching oneself, acquiring a better political or social position, or other selfish purposes.
Why is it so difficult to put an end to these vile, outdated and criminal acts? (FVDK)
The scourge of ritual killings
Published: June 3, 2026 By: This Day, Editorial, Nigeria
The criminals should be served full weight of the law
Increasingly, many Nigerians are now living in fear over growing cases of ritual killings. Last week, security operatives arrested a suspected serial killer who reportedly confessed to murdering dozens of people in the Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. The suspect claimed he was assisted by a woman who usually lured unsuspecting victims to isolated locations where they were murdered, obviously for ritual purposes. But the Odukpani killings are not isolated incidents. While there may be no reliable statistics, the menace of missing persons and ritual killings across the country has become pronounced. Indeed, it has become so obvious that a civil society organisation, ‘Enough is Enough’, has since opened a website to document the trend.
From Lagos to Port Harcourt, Enugu and other cities across the country, hardly a week passes without tales of some people killed for what are attributed to ritual purposes. Last November, a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer and her 12-year-old daughter, were gruesomely murdered in Osun State by a family friend who lured them to the shrine of a herbalist where they were slaughtered and dismembered, with their vital organs removed. And in April this year, the Kwara State Police Command apprehended a man with the skull of a deceased family member whose remains he had exhumed.
Ritual killing is not a new criminal challenge. In March 2014, the nation was thrown into confusion when a kidnappers’ den was discovered in Soka community, Ibadan, Oyo State. After the den was raided by some commercial motorcyclists who were searching for two of their missing colleagues, human skulls, dried human parts alongside malnourished victims reportedly reserved for ritual purposes, were discovered. In August 2018, the Lagos police arrested one Taiwo Akinola, a suspected cult member, for allegedly attempting to kill his mother for money rituals.
But perhaps one of the most celebrated cases was that of the Port Harcourt serial killer, Gracious David-West who reportedly lured seven young ladies with high-risk lifestyle across Lagos, Imo and Rivers State to hotels and murdered them for rituals. Similarly, a young graduate who was raped and murdered while searching for a job in Uyo environs, Akwa Ibom State, few years ago, was reportedly used for ritual purposes. There was also the horrifying murder of a 300-Level undergraduate of Delta State University, Abraka, by a gang of four yahoo boys. One of the criminals told the police that they took the young lady to a bush where they plucked out her eyes, removed her breast and heart.
But the questions inevitably arise: What are the motives? What could be the cause of these grim acts of violence against fellow human beings, and indeed, the society? What could account for these barbaric acts of violence even among the supposedly educated citizens? Many attribute the menace to the growing sense of desperation to acquire wealth, without work. Amid the prevailing poverty and joblessness in the land, many have resorted to doing anything, no matter how weird, for wealth. Yet, there is no proven link between the costly rituals and the instant wealth promised through magical potions by herbalists and voodoo practitioners even when our society is now ravaged by it.
Today, many of our university campuses have become breeding grounds for Yahoo boys and girls who are looking for instant wealth. Sadly, the education they received does not rid them of the superstition that wealth comes from productive enterprises and not from human body. And with that, many innocent citizens are becoming victims to barbaric killings.
I have no doubt that Nigerian human rights activist Leo Igwe is among the top five fighters against superstition, witchcraft, ritual killings, and impunity on the African continent, and he is most likely the most active and best known.
Dr. Leo Igwe is active in numerous human rights groups, among others he directs the organization ‘Advocacy for Alleged Witches‘ (AfAW), an advocacy group defending the rights and dignity of people who have been accused of witchcraft, and working and campaigning to end all forms of human rights abuses linked to witchcraft allegations in African countries.
I have mentioned and quoted Dr. Igwe numerous times on this site, for which I owe him a great debt of gratitude.
The article below focuses on a recent case in Rivers state, Nigeria. In February, a man, accused of witchcraft, was killed. AfAW is concerned for his relatives and calls on the authorities to bring the perpetrator to justice. Between the lines, it can be read that the organization—learned from past experiences—has little faith in the Nigerian rule of law.
Dr. Leo Igwe, thanks again for this timely intervention! (webmaster FVDK).
Witchcraft and Killing in Rivers State: Nobody Can Hamper the Progress of Others Through Magical Means
Local sources informed AfAW that Isaiah had a wife and four children. His first child just finished secondary school. AfAW plans to visit the community and meet with family and community members to understand what happened and explore ways of supporting the family of the deceased during these difficult moments. Advocates will continue to pressure the police to bring the suspect to justice. Witchcraft accusations and jungle justice are against the law. The inability of the police to enforce the law drives these abuses.
Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches
The Advocacy for Alleged Witches is saddened by the brutal murder of Chidiebere Isaiah by a relative, Nwalozie Chiwendu, following an accusation of witchcraft in Ofeh, Rivers State, in Southern Nigeria. The tragic news reached AfAW on February 15, 2026. AfAW contacted The Punch and Vanguard correspondents in Port Harcourt for the phone number of the youth president of the Ofeh community in Omuma Local Government Area. Through an advocate in the state, AfAW contacted a legal counsel from the community who confirmed the incident and has volunteered to facilitate any intervention. This legal counsel said he knew the victim and the suspected murderer very well. As reported, Chiwendu accused and murdered Isaiah for being responsible for his lack of progress. The legal counsel stated that Chiwendu dropped out of primary school. He never went to secondary school. “How did he expect to make significant progress and become rich if he was not educated?” He queried.
Chiwendu reportedly fled after the incident. The local police claimed that he was at large. As in previous cases in Rivers state, this matter will fizzle out after a while. The police stated that the investigation was ongoing, but that was all that would be heard about the case. There are no indications that the police are taking the case seriously, that they are tracking the suspect, or that they will bring him to justice soon. Witch persecution persists in the region due to impunity and lack of accountability, due to a failure of the police and the justice system. Last year, the police in Rivers state refused to prosecute pastors arrested for abusing children during exorcism and ritual cleansing in the state. All efforts and pressures on police authorities to bring these violators to justice came to nothing.
Meanwhile, advocates have been reacting and expressing their outrage following the horrific murder of Isaiah. One advocate stated, “See what ignorance has done: a tragedy for that community and the family. One brother is dead, and another brother is certainly going to be hanged for murder. Terrible!. Meanwhile, the pastors who preached this rubbish mentality into his ignorant head are walking about free, indoctrinating other ignorant people”. Another noted: “This is evil. So you claim to do something good by killing your brother because he is a witch, and you are running? You are not supposed to run away; rather, you should stay so we can tell you what a hero you are. Witchcraft does not exist. Say no to witch-hunts”. Furthermore, one advocate described the incident as: ” Absolutely tragic. No one should ever be killed over superstition or accusations of witchcraft. Education, awareness, and justice are the only answers. End the witch hunts now”.
Local sources informed AfAW that Isaiah had a wife and four children. His first child just finished secondary school. AfAW plans to visit the community and meet with family and community members to understand what happened and explore ways of supporting the family of the deceased during these difficult moments. Advocates will continue to pressure the police to bring the suspect to justice. Witchcraft accusations and jungle justice are against the law. The inability of the police to enforce the law drives these abuses.
In addition, AfAW will organize public awareness programs to reorient the minds of people in Rivers State. AfAW will educate the public to understand that nobody can harm, frustrate, or undermine the progress of others through magical or occult means.
That such a belief is superstitious and based on fear and ignorance!
Opinion Nigeria is a practical online community where both local and international authors through their opinion pieces, address today’s topical issues. In Opinion Nigeria, we believe in the right to freedom of opinion and expression. We believe that people should be free to express their opinion without interference from anyone especially the government.
Give to Gain: Justice for Women Accused of Witchcraft in Africa
On March 6, 2026, the online Ghanaian newspaper ‘Modern Africa’ published an article written by Leo Igwe, ‘Give to Gain: Justice for Women Accused of Witchcraft in Africa’ presenting three cases of women who were victims of witch hunts in Nigeria: (1) 49-year-old Obiageri Ottih from Imo state, (2) 86-year-old Arit Inyang from Akamkpa, in Cross River state, and (3) Adijat Pereira from Lagos, Lagos state, Nigeria.
The three women were accused of witchcraft, but the police failed to intervene or to seriously investigate the matter. It is feared that Arit Inyang has been murdered. Advocacy for Alleged Witches is following the cases.
Warning: the following post and related articles contain graphic details which may upset readers.
On previous occasions I have stated here that the numbers of abductions and murders for ritual motives are running sky-high in Nigeria, not to speak of missing persons leaving no trace. Having a brief look at the contents of this site since I started it in 2018, one is tempted to say that this West African country is well covered but by far I do not report all recorded cases of ritualistic murders in Africa’s most populated country (over 225 million inhabitants in 2024).
The list is too long to continue. Each day new ritual killing cases are unearthed, sometimes literally.
Given this background, the article below is not surprising and the reader will not be surprised that I fully support the author’s view: that greed is a basic ingredient and motive for ritualistic violence.
However, after having read the article I remain with two – related – unanswered questions.
Why is it that superstition is so widespread in Nigeria? Ritual murders and the harvesting of organs, other body parts, in short, ‘money rituals’, are carried out – by ‘ordinary criminals’ as well as by ‘ordinary citizens’ – because it is believed that ritual murders can make people rich or famous. Why is it that the belief in ‘juju’, the power of the supernatural, is so persistent? (webmaster FVDK)
it is believed that ritual killings can make people rich
When wealth demands blood: The horror of ritual killings in Nigeria
Published: March 13, 2025 By: Kelly Odaro – The Nigerian Observer
Amidst Nigeria’s economic quagmire, a more sinister affliction festers — ritual killings. This grotesque practice, once whispered in hushed tones and relegated to the annals of folklore, has metamorphosed into an alarming commonplace reality.
The nation wakes up to a grim litany of media headlines detailing the heinous acts of individuals who, in their insatiable pursuit of material prosperity, desecrate human life with blood ritual. The moral fabric of our society is unravelling at an alarming pace, frayed by an unsettling obsession with overnight wealth.
The recent gruesome murder in the Evbuotubu community of Benin City, where a young man’s head was severed, has once again spotlighted the disturbing prevalence of ritual killings in the region. This heinous act is not an isolated incident but part of a growing pattern of bloodshed fuelled by a dangerous obsession with instant wealth and power.
Ritual killings, often driven by superstitious beliefs and occult practices, have persisted in many parts of Nigeria despite modernisation and law enforcement efforts. In Benin City, several cases have been reported over the years, each more chilling than the last. Many of the unsuspecting victims are young men and women, often lured, kidnapped, and gruesomely murdered in rituals meant to bring fortune to perpetrators.
In past years, there have been numerous reports of mutilated bodies discovered in forests, abandoned buildings, or shallow graves, their organs harvested for money-making rituals. In
2020, a similar case rocked the Otuo community in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State where three young men and a woman were set ablaze by a mob for allegedly beheading a secondary school student in a suspected ritual killing (Punch, 25 February, 2020). In 2018, four brothers allegedly unalived their grandmother for money rituals in Ohovbe quarters, Ikpoba Hill in Benin City, according to Vanguard News (January 9, 2018).
Likewise, in 2019, police uncovered a shrine where human skulls and body parts were found, indicating that ritual killings were being carried out on a large scale. More so, over twenty mummified bodies were discovered in a building in Benin City (The Guardian, August 8, 2022), and a myriad of similar incidents occurred across Nigeria.
Despite widespread condemnation, these horrific acts continue, largely because of deep-rooted societal attitudes that glorify sudden wealth without questioning its source. Many individuals with dubious riches are still celebrated, given chieftaincy titles, and honoured in religious circles simply because of their financial influence. This cultural acceptance creates an environment where desperate individuals, especially young men, resort to extreme measures to attain wealth and social status.
Addressing this crisis requires more than just police crackdowns. There must be a fundamental shift in societal values —one that prioritises ethical wealth over ill-gotten riches. Religious institutions, traditional rulers, and community leaders must take a firm stand against the glorification of questionable affluence.
The Evbuotubu incident is a grim reminder that Nigeria is still battling the scourge of ritual killings. Until society collectively condemns and rejects wealth acquired through bloodshed, such horrors will persist, leaving a trail of innocent victims in their wake.
Once upon a time, wealth in Nigerian society was synonymous with industry, resilience, and ingenuity. The elders of old (traders, craftsmen, farmers, and entrepreneurs) prided themselves on the sweat of their brows. A man’s affluence was a direct reflection of his diligence and years of toil.
Today, however, a corrosive paradigm has taken root, one that glorifies instant affluence, irrespective of the means through which it is obtained. The insidious doctrine of “making it by any means necessary” has replaced the time-honoured principle of hard work.
This paradigm shift is not accidental. It is the consequence of a deeply flawed value system where wealth, no matter how dubiously acquired, commands reverence. The very individuals who should be ostracised for their morally reprehensible conduct are, instead, venerated. This toxic culture emboldens desperate youth to explore even the most abhorrent means to attain affluence.
The most disheartening aspect of this trend is the complicity (both tacit and overt) of society’s supposed moral gatekeepers. Religious leaders, who should be the custodians of righteousness, have too often become enablers of corruption. In the grandiose edifices of faith, where the gospel of prosperity is preached with fervour, those with questionable sources of wealth are celebrated.
They are given front-row seats, called upon for prayers, and sometimes elevated to positions of religious leadership, all because their ill-gotten wealth fuels the construction of mega worship centres.
Traditional rulers, the custodians of Nigeria’s cultural ethos, are equally culpable. The hallowed institution of chieftaincy, once reserved for men of impeccable character, has been commercialised. Titles that once symbolised honour are now available to the highest bidder. The affluent, irrespective of their moral standing, are conferred with chieftaincy titles in elaborate ceremonies attended by society’s crème de la crème.
In many instances, these so-called ‘chiefs’ are known for their nefarious dealings, yet they are paraded as paragons of success.
The elite, politicians, and corporate magnates are not innocent either. Many continue to patronise, endorse, and associate with individuals whose wealth bears the stench of blood money. By doing so, they lend credibility to criminality and normalise the abnormal. When men who are rumoured to have amassed their fortunes through dark means are invited to state functions, given government contracts, or honoured in grand events, the message to the struggling youth is clear — wealth, regardless of its origin, is the ultimate measure of success.
The media, which should serve as society’s watchdog, is often a double-edged sword. While some journalists and media houses expose the nefarious activities of ritual killers, others glorify the very individuals whose sources of wealth are dubious. The extravagant lifestyles of these questionable figures are routinely splashed across the pages of newspapers, magazines, television, and online platforms, painting them as role models rather than cautionary tales.
Reality television, social media influencers, and music videos further exacerbate the problem by promoting a culture of ostentation. Young people, bombarded with images of expensive cars, lavish mansions, and extravagant vacations, begin to equate self-worth with material possessions. Those who lack the patience for legitimate wealth creation resort to criminality, with some taking the ultimate plunge into the dark world of ritual killings.
At the core of ritual killings is the utter dehumanization of victims. The perpetrators, in their frenzied pursuit of wealth, strip their victims of all humanity, reducing them to mere commodities for sacrifice. The gruesome nature of these killings — dismembered bodies, missing vital organs, and ritualistic symbols points to an eerie level of barbarism that should have no place in civilised society.
Many victims are unsuspecting individuals. Children are lured with sweets or money, young women deceived by fake lovers, and travellers waylaid by ritual syndicates. The lack of stringent security measures, poor law enforcement, and a failing judicial system embolden these criminals, who often evade justice or buy their way out of prosecution.
One of the greatest tragedies of Nigeria’s legal system is its failure to serve as a deterrent to ritual killers. Reports of arrests are frequent, but convictions are rare. The wheels of justice turn at a sluggish pace, and in many cases, perpetrators with financial clout secure their freedom.
Corruption within the police force further compounds the problem. Cases of ritual killings are sometimes swept under the carpet in exchange for bribes, leaving families of victims without closure. Even when cases proceed to court, the judiciary’s lethargy allows them to drag on indefinitely, creating a loophole for criminals to manoeuvre their way back into society.
If Nigeria is to rid itself of the scourge of ritual killings, a fundamental societal reorientation is imperative. The following measures must be taken:
Schools must incorporate value-based education that emphasises the dignity of labour and the dangers of illicit wealth.
The youth must be taught that wealth, when pursued through righteous means, is more fulfilling and sustainable; religious leaders must take an uncompromising stance against those who amass wealth through dubious means. Places of worship should cease to be sanctuaries for financial criminals.
Besides, traditional rulers should uphold the sanctity of their institutions by ensuring that only men and women of impeccable character are honoured – chieftaincy titles must not be ‘commoditised.’
More so, the media as watchdog of the society must prioritise investigative journalism that exposes ritual killers rather than glorify ostentatious lifestyles. Content creators should promote positive role models rather than individuals with questionable affluence.
Again, the police and judiciary must be restructured to ensure that ritual killers are swiftly apprehended, tried, and convicted.
There must be no sacred cows; the law must take its course without favouritism.
Moreover, citizens must become more vigilant and report suspicious activities. Neighbourhood watch groups should be empowered to work with security agencies in identifying and apprehending suspected ritualists.
Ritual killings in Nigeria are symptomatic of a deeper societal malaise — a value system that places wealth above humanity. The tragedy is not merely in the blood spilt but in the indifference with which society treats this growing menace. If the nation does not recalibrate its moral compass, the ritualistic shedding of human blood will continue unchecked, and our collective humanity will be the ultimate casualty.
Ritual killers are on the prowl, preying on unsuspecting victims across the country. These criminals lurk in both rural and urban areas, taking advantage of isolated locations, late hours, and unsuspecting individuals.
Parents and guardians must take proactive measures to safeguard their children and wards from falling victim to these nefarious acts. Educating young people about the dangers of accepting rides from strangers, wandering off alone, or engaging with unknown individuals is crucial. Additionally, people must exercise caution in their daily movements, ensuring they avoid desolate areas, especially at night.
Men and women alike must remain vigilant and prioritise personal safety. Walking alone on lonely paths or deserted streets, particularly in poorly lit areas, increases the risk of being targeted. Instead, people should move in groups whenever possible and be mindful of their surroundings. Until then, everyone must stay alert because in a society where ritual killers operate with impunity, personal vigilance is the first line of defence.
Let those who have ears listen and let those in positions of influence act. Posterity will not forgive a society that sacrifices its own on the altar of unbridled greed.
Odaro, a columnist, lectures in the Department of Mass Communication, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi.
The Emir of Ilorin (Kwara State) and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council joined religious leaders in condemning the ritual killing of Hafsoh Lawal. By publicly condemning the violent crime, the Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Sulu-Gambari also joined other traditional rulers who recently spoke out against the crime of ritual murder in this West African country.
The religious leaders and traditional rulers who speak out against the crime of ritual murder are to be commended.
Nigeria’s political leaders and legislators, and the police and judicial authorities of Africa’s most populated country should leave no stone unturned to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of ritualistic murders while simultaneously campaigning for the eradication of the get-rich-quick mentality which in combination with the belief in tradition and superstition perpetuate the cruel crime of murder for ritualistic motives and gross human rights violations. (webmaster FVDK)
Emir of Ilorin condemns ritual killing of final-year student, says justice must be served
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Mai-Martaba Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Mai-Martaba Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, has expressed sadness over the gruesome killing of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, (KWCOE), Ilorin by one Abdulrahman Bello, an acclaimed ‘alfa’.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, condemned the incident, saying, “It is most unfortunate, alien and regrettable act of wickedness.”
According to him, “It has become pertinent for parents, guardians as well as people in the neighbourhood to remain vigilant to happenings around them, especially ensuring that their children and wards are in the company of people of tested and trusted characters with well-researched family background.
“It is only hardwork that pays; total war should be declared against idleness, laziness and unwarranted loitering around the society by youths in the name of finding means of survival.”
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari also urged clerics in the Ilorin Emirate and beyond to sanitise the system by ensuring that the likes of Abdulrahman Bello are expressly exposed to the law enforcement agencies before wrecking more havoc and damaging the lives of innocent persons.
While commiserating the families of the late Hafsoh Lawal over the unfortunate end to the life of the promising daughter, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari urged the Nigeria Police and the Judiciary to ensure that toral justice is served in this matter while also directing religious leaders, especially Imams in Mosques in Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State at large to ensure that their Friday Khutbah focuses more attention on morality, dignity in labour as well as importance and respect for the souls of fellow human-being irrespective of tribe, religion and status.
The Informant247 reports that an Ilorin-born middle-aged man identified as Abdulrahman Bello has allegedly killed and dismembered the body of Lawal Hafsoh, a final-year student of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, for suspected ritual purposes.
According to reports, the deceased, Lawal Hafsoh, had on Monday, 10th of February 2025, declared missing after receiving a call at the naming ceremony.
It was gathered that the lady’s whereabouts were unknown since she received the call.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, 11th of February 2025, the deceased parents reported the case to the Divisional Police Station at Oja Oba Police Station in Ilorin, the state capital.
However, the police requested her phone number and used it to track her last call, which was traced to an individual living in the Offa garage area of Ilorin,
The suspect, whose family house is in Isalekoto, was tracked and arrested, where he initially denied the knowledge of the lady’s whereabouts. However, when the police searched his house, he confessed that the lady was in his area and had died from an asthma attack after he called her to come over.
Upon further investigation, the police found the lady’s body dismembered and hidden in a bowl, along with the equipment used to dismember her. The suspect is now at the police headquarters in Ilorin.
It was reported that the suspect and the deceased met on Facebook, where they both got connected.
However, an effort to speak to the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer SP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi proved abortive as she didn’t pick up her call at the time of filing this report.
An Ilorin-born middle-aged man identified as Abdulrahman Bello has allegedly killed and dismembered the body of Lawal Hafsoh, a final-year student of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, for suspected ritual purposes.
According to reports, the deceased, Lawal Hafsoh, had on Monday, 10th of February 2025, declared missing after receiving a call at the naming ceremony.
It was gathered that the lady’s whereabouts were unknown since she received the call.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, 11th of February 2025, the deceased parents reported the case to the Divisional Police Station at Oja Oba Police Station in Ilorin, the state capital.
However, the police requested her phone number and used it to track her last call, which was traced to an individual living in the Offa garage area of Ilorin,
The suspect, whose family house is in Isalekoto, was tracked and arrested, where he initially denied the knowledge of the lady’s whereabouts. However, when the police searched his house, he confessed that the lady was in his area and had died from an asthma attack after he called her to come over.
Upon further investigation, the police found the lady’s body dismembered and hidden in a bowl, along with the equipment used to dismember her. The suspect is now at the police headquarters in Ilorin.
It was reported that the suspect and the deceased met on Facebook, where they both got connected.
However, an effort to speak to the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer SP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi proved abortive as she didn’t pick up her call at the time of filing this report.
The author of the article below, Ogungbile Oludotun, is upset, worried, outraged. The recent murder of Yetunde Lawal for ritual purposes in Kwara State (‘money ritual’) by an Islamic teacher she met on Facebook inspired her to an impressive (but far from exhaustive) list of similar crimes, in other Nigerian states. Some of the ritual murder cases included in the list I have covered in previous posts, e.g. the killing for ritualistic purposes of Favour Daley-Oladele by her boyfriend Owolabi Adeyemi, in Ogun State in 2019. Please consult this site’s search tool by typing the name of the victim, Favour Daley-Oladele.
Olungbile Oludotun argues, as I have repeatedly done here, that the disturbing trend of ritual killings in Nigeria is no longer an occasional horror; it is a sustained crisis. She even goes one step further by accusing the powerful elite: “While young Nigerians kill themselves for money, the people in power remain silent.”
However, t the grim reality is that ritual killings continue to occur.
When will it stop? What needs to be done to stop these useless murders? Why hasn’t it stopped already?
It’s not only time to reflect on these questions. It’s high time for action! (webmaster FVDK)
Yetunde Lawal’s murder: A reflection of societal decadence
The late Yetunde Lawal
Published: February 18, 2025 By: Ogungbile Oludotun – Punch, Nigeria
On February 10, 2025, Yetunde Lawal, a 25-year-old final-year student of Kwara State College of Education, left a naming ceremony after receiving a phone call. That call led her to her untimely end. She was allegedly murdered and dismembered by 29-year-old Abdulrahman Bello, an Islamic teacher she met on Facebook.
Yetunde’s case is shocking, but it is not new. It follows an unsettling pattern of young women, and sometimes young men, falling victim to violent crimes across Nigeria. It forces us to confront a terrifying question: Who is next? How many more lives must be lost before the right people take notice?
The disturbing trend of ritual killings is no longer an occasional horror; it is a sustained crisis. Just last year, in September 2024, 17-year-old Damilola, a first-year undergraduate at the Federal University Lokoja (in Kogi State – added by the webmaster FVDK) was murdered by Jeremiah Awe, a young man who allegedly drugged and lured her to his lodge for ritual purposes. To cover his tracks, he faked her kidnapping and demanded a ransom from her parents. Investigations later revealed that Awe had met a native doctor through TikTok, exposing the dangerous role of social media in facilitating such crimes.
During that same period, 21-year-old Mojisola Awesu, a recent graduate of Kwara State College of Health Technology, was lured to a party in Ilorin. The party was a trap. She was brutally murdered after being paid just N15,000 to attend. Meanwhile, in 2023, a young man named Ridwan killed his father in Ogun State for ritual purposes.
These cases are not isolated incidents.
They form a grim reality: our youth are killing each other, their loved ones, and even themselves in a desperate quest for wealth and power. Pathetically, women, especially young girls, have become the primary victims of ritual killings. Their vulnerability, compounded by poverty, gender stereotypes, and weak law enforcement, makes them easy prey.
In 2019, 22-year-old Favour Daley-Oladele was murdered by her boyfriend, Owolabi Adeyemi, in Ogun State for ritual purposes. In 2020, Sofiat Kehinde, just 20 years old, was killed by her boyfriend, Sadiq Owolabi, in Oyo State. The list is endless.
The most terrifying aspect of this crisis is that young people are killing other young people. The generation that should be shaping Nigeria’s future is instead destroying itself. Those who are not engaged in crime are looking for ways to escape the country, either legally or illegally. Unlike in the past, where crime was associated with hardened criminals, today’s perpetrators are students, lovers, and social media acquaintances committing atrocities unapologetically.
Nigeria has become a country where wealth is worshipped, and morality is secondary. Social media is filled with young men flashing luxury cars, designer clothes, and expensive vacations. But behind many of these lavish lifestyles lie irregularities, fraud, blood money, and ritual killings.
With a collapsing economy and little to no job opportunities, desperation has led many young Nigerians to create their survival strategies, Yahoo fraud (internet scams), Yahoo Plus (fraud combined with rituals), kidnapping for ransom, and organ trafficking. The logic is simple: “If hard work does not get me there, I will do whatever it takes.”
Some might ask whether money rituals actually work or if it is all psychological manipulation. Some argue that the idea of ritual wealth is a scam, pushed by native doctors and fraudsters to exploit desperate individuals. Yet, the practice persists, fuelled by Nollywood, spiritual myths, and testimonies from people who claim to have “seen” it work. But whether rituals actually produce money is irrelevant. What is real is the number of innocent people dying in the pursuit of it. Even if it is all a lie, the belief is deadly enough to drive people to murder.
While it is easy to blame the perpetrators, young women must also take responsibility for their safety. They must stop being at the beck and call of men they barely know. It is no longer enough to simply trust; caution is necessary. Meeting strangers alone, especially in isolated places, is a risk no one should take. Flashy social media lifestyles should not be seen as an invitation to blindly trust someone. If a man you barely know is promising you heaven and earth, ask yourself: Why?
Women must also look out for each other. If a friend is about to meet someone she barely knows, question her, accompany her, or insist on a public place. Many of these deaths could have been prevented if only someone had asked the right questions.
While young Nigerians kill themselves for money, the people in power remain silent. The government offers no jobs but is quick to arrest fraudsters. But what alternatives have they provided? The truth is nobody is innocent in this crisis. Nigeria is a society that rewards wealth without questioning its source. We are all complicit.
I will not start telling the government to create job opportunities or fix the economy, even though they should. I won’t talk about enforcing the law, even though it is their duty. These are things that should already be in place. But while we wait for change that may never come, we must act ourselves.
Yetunde Lawal is gone. Another young life wasted. Another brutal headline in an unending cycle of horror. Perhaps now her killer will wander in prison for a long time, maybe even be executed if found guilty. But if we do nothing, her death will be meaningless. And the next victim is already walking towards his/her fate. Who is next?
Ogungbile Oludotun writes via thedreamchaser65@gmail.com
This time the Asagba of Asaba, a monarch in Delta State, also in southern Nigeria, came in the spotlight when banning the activities of ‘Eze-Nwanyi’ (female native doctors/goddesses) and other traditional practitioners due to their alleged involvement in the rising crime rate in Asaba and its environs including providing assistance to internet fraudsters, commonly known as Yahoo Yahoo boys, kidnappers and other criminals.
His remarks were triggered by the murder of a man from neighboring Anambra, a lawmaker. Read the full story below. (webmaster FVDK)
Delta monarch bans native doctors for aiding ritual killers
The Asagba of Asaba
Published: February 14, 2025 By: Matthew Ochei – Punch, Nigeria
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), on Thursday banned the activities of ‘Eze-Nwanyi’ (female native doctors/goddesses) and other traditional practitioners due to their alleged involvement in the rising crime rate in Asaba and its environs.
This decision follows reports linking the murder of an Anambra lawmaker – whose body was discovered on the Niger Bridge – to native doctors and a shrine in Asaba.
Expressing deep concern, the monarch emphasised that crimes committed within Asaba directly impact its residents more than anyone else.
He stressed that the ban on these native doctors was a proactive measure to curb crime.
“Let it be on record that we support the government at all times. However, while supporting the government, there comes a time when we must take proactive steps. Anything that happens in Asaba affects us directly,” he stated.
“It is distressing to hear that Asaba has become the focal point of these criminal activities. As a result, we have decided to take measures to ensure peace and order in our land.”
The monarch declared that the activities of Eze-Nwanyi practitioners, particularly those not originally from Asaba, were now banned.
He described their growing presence as troubling and their activities as “nefarious.”
“The murder of the Anambra lawmaker points to Asaba, where money was cleared, and where the shrine harboring the kingpin was located. These native doctors seem to be aiding not only internet fraudsters (Yahoo Yahoo boys) but also kidnappers and other criminals. Therefore, we are banning them effective immediately.”
Furthermore, the monarch announced that all native doctors operating within Asaba must now register and be regulated.
He stated that they would require clearance from the Otuhas, the governing legislative body of Asaba, before being allowed to operate.
In addition, restrictions have been placed on visits to the shrine of the Asaba deity, Onishe.
Asagba Of Asaba Bans Female Native Doctors, Moves To Curb Crime
The traditional ruler also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting government efforts in tackling insecurity.
FILE: The Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge SAN
Published: February 13, 2025 By: Vivian Oramadike – ChannelsTV, Nigeria
The Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge SAN, has banned the activities of Eze-Nwanyi (female native doctors) and other unregulated traditional practitioners, citing their alleged involvement in kidnappings, ritual killings, and cyber-related fraud.
Announcing the decision at a press conference on Thursday, the monarch expressed deep concern over rising crime in Asaba, particularly after reports linked native doctors and shrines in the area to the murder of Anambra lawmaker Justice Azuka, whose body was discovered on the Niger Bridge.
The Asagba emphasized that many of these practitioners are outsiders with criminal motives.
“From today, the activities of Eze-Nwanyi and other unregulated native doctors are banned,” he declared.
Moving forward, all traditional practitioners in Asaba must register under the Otu-Ihaza, the town’s legislative authority.
He reiterated the urgent need for action, stating, “Anything that happens on this land affects us more than anyone else. It is unacceptable that Asaba has become a hub for these nefarious activities. Consequently, we have decided to take proactive steps to restore peace and order.”
To further address security concerns, the monarch launched Operation Know Your Tenants, mandating landlords to properly document all tenants.
“Criminals see Asaba as a safe haven. This must stop,” he warned. “Every landlord must have proper records of their tenants so we can account for who resides where.”
Additionally, the palace will deploy a special task force to inspect guest records at hotels across Asaba.
“We will be visiting hotels to check their guest lists. The palace is already collaborating with security agencies to expose those using hotels as criminal hideouts,” he asserted.
The Asagba reaffirmed his commitment to supporting government efforts in tackling insecurity but stressed the need for traditional institutions to play an active role in safeguarding their communities.
“We stand with the government, but we must also take responsibility for our land. Asaba must not become a breeding ground for crime,” he concluded.
Asagba of Asaba in Delta State, HRM Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge SAN
Published: February 13, 2025 By: Matthew Ochei – Punch, Nigeria
The Asagba of Asaba in Delta State, HRM Obi Prof. Epiphany Azinge SAN, has banned the activities of ‘Eze-Nwanyi’ (female native doctors/goddesses) and other unregulated traditional practitioners.
The decision comes amid concerns that these groups are fueling criminal activities, including kidnappings and ritual-related crimes.
The palace maintained it was a decisive move to curb rising crime in Asaba and its environs.
The announcement follows reports linking native doctors and shrines in Asaba to the murder of an Anambra lawmaker, Justice Azuka, whose body was discovered on the Niger Bridge.
The Asagba, addressing a press conference, expressed grave concern over the situation, stating, “Anything that happens on this land affects us more than anyone else. It is unacceptable that Asaba has become a hub for these nefarious activities. Consequently, we have decided to take proactive steps to restore peace and order.”
Ban on Female Native Doctors, Shrine Restrictions
The monarch emphasised that many of these practitioners are not of Asaba origin and have taken over the land with criminal motives.
“We have banned the activities of Eze-Nwanyi, who are not of Asaba extraction and are unknown to us. Their activities, I dare say, are nefarious.
“With the recent revelations linking an Anambra lawmaker’s murder to Asaba-based native doctors and shrines, it is clear that they are not just supporting ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ fraudsters but are also involved in kidnappings. From today, they are banned,” he declared.
Additionally, all native doctors operating in Asaba must now register and be regulated under the authority of the Otu-Ihaza, the legislative body of Asaba.
Yet another case which I present to prevent the idea that aforementioned case in Delta State is extraordinary and an exemption. Far from it. Kidnapping and killing on demand, selling humans organs and other body parts, just for greed, for money, is a rising business in Nigeria and may be in more countries.
The basic drive, apart from greed, lust for money, for wealth, for power and prestige, is superstition. Not only must authorities act swiftly and uphold the rule of law, thereby protecting the human rights of its citizens, but they must also embark an a campaign of prevention by investing in education. Colliding interests, of politicians and other ‘big shots’ in society involved in these barbaric practices, must be dealt with mercilessly. (webmaster) FVDK)
Shocking Ritual Murder in Ogun: Man Sells Friend for ₦5,000
Published: January 29, 2025 By: Nigerian Bulletin
A man in Ogun State has been arrested for selling his best friend to a ritualist for ₦5,000, leading to the victim’s gruesome murder. The victim’s head was sold for ₦20,000. This shocking incident was exposed through a viral video, highlighting the prevalence of ritual killings in Nigeria.
A shocking incident unfolded in Ogun State, where a man reportedly sold his best friend to a ritualist for ₦5,000. The victim was lured under the pretense of a farm job offer. Upon arrival, the friend was killed, and his head was later sold for ₦20,000. This horrifying act was revealed after a viral video surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), showing the police parading multiple suspects.
The arrested man confessed that he had arranged the deal with a herbalist, who carried out the gruesome murder. The video also featured the ritualist admitting to his role in the crime. The tragic event highlights the growing concern of ritual killings in the country. The victim’s head, after being severed, was reportedly sold for a mere ₦20,000, further underscoring the brutal nature of the act.
This incident has raised alarm in the community, with many calling for greater awareness and stronger enforcement against ritualistic crimes. Authorities have promised to investigate further and hold all parties responsible accountable, as the video continues to circulate, increasing public outrage over the horrific crime.
I include the following incident because this shows how ritual killing in the 21st c. often works in reality: kidnapping and killing on demand, based on superstition, used in a ritual based on traditional beliefs, but in reality indistinguishable from an ‘ordinary’ crime: murder.
A gruesome story. Readers are warned. (webmaster FVDK)
Man who stole baby for ritual narrates how ‘Yahoo boys’ refused to pay him N200k after the deal
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
Warning: The following articles may upset readers because of the graphic contents (webmaster FVDK).
The surge in murders for ritualistic purposes and related witchcraft activities in certain SSA countries has led to an increasing cry for the restoration of the death penalty for convicted ritual killers. In recent years, several African countries have resorted to the (sometimes) re-introduction of capital punishment in an attempt to stop these criminal and outdated traditional practices. In Nigeria a number of states have adopted legislation allowing the sentencing to death of convicted ritual murderers which does not always mean that they are actually executed.
National and international organizations like Amnesty International emphasize that the death penalty breaches human rights including the right to life and the right to live free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Both rights are protected under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN in 1948. Nigeria is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Please note: the link which leads to the Punch article reproduced below also mentions three other cases of ritualistic killings (‘money rituals’) in Nigeria: two in Anambra State (including a suspected case of ritual killing) and one in Ogun State. Though a coincidence it illustrates well that ‘money rituals’ are rampant in Africa’s most populated country. (webmaster FVDK)
Nigeria: Delta court sentences man to death for killing twins for rituals
Published: July 16, 2024 By: Matthew Ochei – Punch, Nigeria
A High Court sitting at Asaba, the Delta State capital, has sentenced one Onuwa Ijie to death, and Nwanozie Uzor to 14 years imprisonment for murder and conspiracy to commit the murder of twin boys, Chidalu and Chigozie Agwunobi.
The court presided over by Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro sentenced two convicts over the murder of the seven-year-old boys.
The prosecution conducted by a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Paula Akpoguma, in proof of the case called five witnesses.
The court held that the testimony of the five witnesses proved the case against the two defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
The prosecution stated that tragedy struck the family of Olise Agwunobi of Oko-Ogbele Community on March 5, 2020, when their seven-year-old twin boys were lured by the defendants to a bush and they proceeded to cut off their penis, eyes, tongues and hands which they hurriedly took to a native doctor at Aguleri in Anambra State.
“One of the defendants had earlier gone to the school of the twin children to take them but was turned down by the school teacher, one Mrs Emelda Ezekwude,” she said.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Marshal-Umukoro stated that after carefully evaluating the evidence presented before him, the prosecution had discharged the burden of proof as the first defendant from his confessional statement was the person who sowed the seed of committing human rituals in the mind of the second defendant by giving the phone number of one Chukwudi Edemuzor who was alleged to be searching for twins to kill for money.
The court maintained that the law is settled that the testimony of an investigating police officer was not hearsay evidence, and the court can rely on it.
Speaking with journalists after the judgment on Tuesday, the prosecuting counsel, Akpoguma thanked the court for upholding the cause of justice, “reaffirming that the judicial system works.”
The suspect and his accomplice were said to have murdered the twin boys for ritual purposes.
Justice Onome Marshal Umukoro of a High Court in Asaba, Delta State Capital, has sentenced Onuwa Ijie to death and his accomplice, Nwanozie Uzor, to 14 years imprisonment for the murder and conspiracy to murder twin boys, Chidalu and Chigozie Agwunobi.
The sentencing came after the court heard the case against the two men for the murder of the seven-year-old boys.
Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, Paula Akpoguma, led the prosecution, presenting five witnesses to support the case.
A sixth witness, 15-year-old Iweka Ajie, the younger brother of one of the defendants, initially agreed to testify via video link but ultimately refused out of fear.
The court determined that the testimony of the five witnesses sufficiently proved the case against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.
According to the prosecution, on March 5, 2020, the family of Olise Agwunobi of Oko-Ogbele Community suffered a tragedy when their seven-year-old twin boys were lured to a bush by the defendants.
There, the boys were mutilated, and their body parts were taken to a native doctor in Aguleri, Anambra State.
“One of the defendants had earlier attempted to take the children from their school but was turned away by the school teacher, Mrs. Emelda Ogugua Ezekwude,” Akpoguma said.
Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro, in his judgment, concluded that the prosecution had met the burden of proof.
He noted that the first defendant’s confessional statement indicated that he had introduced the idea of human rituals to the second defendant by providing the phone number of Chukwudi Edemuzor, who was allegedly seeking twins for ritual purposes.
The court held that the testimony of the Investigating Police Officer was admissible and not hearsay.
After the judgment, Akpoguma expressed gratitude to the court for delivering justice, reaffirming her belief in the effectiveness of the judicial system.
