Category Archives: FVDK

Nigeria: Ritual killings on the rise

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The number of ritualistic murders in Nigeria continues to rise. It is not possible to reproduce here all reported and/or suspected cases. For the moment, this will be the last reporting on the Elozino Ogege case but numerous other reports come in, as you can read in the first paragraph of the first article below. I fear that not only these are the tip of the iceberg but also that it will not stop here. The Nigerian authorities must react stronger than they do. (webmaster FVDK)

Ringleader of Yahoo Plus gang that kidnapped, killed DELSU student slumps, dies

Another victim beheaded in Oghara, Ibori’s country home

Published: November 29, 2018 – 5:41 PM
By: Emma Amaize

DELSA University student Elozine Ogege

THE mastermind of the Yahoo Plus gang that abducted and murdered a 300-level student of Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Elozino Ogege, has slumped and died.

However, there is an unconfirmed report that gangsters beheaded a 12-year-old girl, Eguono, at Oghara, the country home of former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, Thursday, less than two weeks after suspected Yahoo Plus boys decapitated a woman.

The gang leader of Elozino’s murder allegedly slumped and died when police detectives trapped him at his hideout in Abraka, but four other suspects, including an herbalist, two private security guards are in police custody at the Police Headquarters, Asaba, Delta State.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Delta Command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the death of the mastermind to Vanguard.

While two of the suspects, a private security guard and internet fraudster, who spoke to our reporter, admitted they participated in the crime, the herbalist and private security supervisor spoke tongue in cheek.

DSP Aniamaka disclosed that police arrested a sixth suspect, a little girl used by the mastermind as red herring to make phone, but the police believe she is a victim.

“The mastermind known to be a fraudster just returned from Ghana, we made efforts to pick him, but it was not easy, but what was in our favour was our promptness, the speed with which we worked. Between the Thursday that incident happened and Saturday, we have got most of the suspects.

“Yes, one of them slumped; in fact, the master mind knowing that we have got him slumped and gave up the ghost.

“Quickly, the second fraudster, Desmond, was caught and he told us he had been engaged in four previous cases. He identified the herbalist that they take the body parts of female folk to for ritual,” he said.

Desmond admitted to Vanguard that he is an internet fraudster and it was the herbalist that asked them to get the eyes, breasts and hearts of their victims for charms that will make any white man accept whatever they tell them in their line of business.

The herbalist denied the allegation, but Desmond insisted they bring body parts to him after killing their victims.

The security guard, Onos who was in possession of Elozino’s phone that enabled the police to track him, confessed that his supervisor engaged him to work for the gang, but the supervisor, Nwaosisi, denied the charge.

However, Onos said his boss tactically deployed him to work with the gang and was sorry for participating in the crime.

Source: Ringleader of Yahoo Plus gang that kidnapped, killed DELSU student slumps, dies

Related articles:

Leader of Yahoo Plus gang that kidnapped, killed DELSU student slumps, dies

Published: November 30, 2018 – 5:07 AM
By: Emma Amaize & Festus Ahon

The ringleader of the Yahoo Plus gang that abducted and murdered a 300-level student of Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Elozino Ogege, has reportedly slumped and died.

It was gathered that he slumped and died when he was trapped by police detectives at a hideout in Abraka. But four other suspects, including a herbalist, two private security guards are in police custody at the Police Headquarters, Asaba, Delta State.

Delta State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the death of the suspect, yesterday.

While two other suspects, Onos, a private security guard and Desmond, internet fraudster, who spoke to our reporter, admitted participating in the crime, the herbalist and the private security supervisor spoke tongue in cheek.

DSP Aniamaka disclosed that “the mastermind known to be a fraudster, just returned from Ghana; we made efforts to pick him, but it was not easy. Between the Thursday that the incident happened and Saturday, we have got most of the suspects.

“Yes, one of them slumped; in fact, the mastermind knowing that we have got him slumped and gave up the ghost.

“Quickly, the second fraudster, Desmond, was caught and he told us he had been engaged in four previous cases. He identified the herbalist that they take the body parts of female folk for ritual,” he said.

Confession

Remorseful Desmond affirmed that Elozino’s murder made it the fifth life he had taken for ritual purposes.

According to him, “each time we killed, we removed the vital organs like the eyes, the heart and the breasts of the victims, normally females, and take to the herbalist, who usually would ask us to come back.”

He added that the herbalist used to burn the hearts and pound them to make powdery substance out of them. It is the powder that he gives to them, which they apply before speaking to their victims to make money from them. “Any big woman we approach obliges us and provides money for us”

However, the herbalist denied the allegation as he continued to call on God as witness that he was speaking the truth. He said Elozino’s organs were the first he received from the Yahoo Plus customers, but Desmond insisted they took the body parts to him after killing their victims.

The security guard, Onos, who had offered to assist the victim to get accommodation and was in possession of Elozino’s phone with which the police tracked him, confessed he was posted into the school by his supervisor for the purpose of carrying out such missions when contacted, but the supervisor, Nwaosisi, denied the allegation.

Nwaosisi said he was among those that chased Onos when the police came after him in the school.

“When all these were happening, Onos threatened to implicate me for assisting the police to arrest him. When the police caught him, they discovered two phones which he claimed I sold to him. That was my involvement. “

Protest

Meanwhile, Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, yesterday thronged the streets of Asaba, the Delta State capital to protest the gruesome murder of Elozino Ogege by suspected yahoo boys.

The CSOs stormed the State Police Command, Ministry of Women Affairs and the office of the Secretary to the State Government, after matching through the streets of Asaba metropolis chanting songs of disenchantment.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mrs Caroline Usikpedo condemned the murder of 22-year-old Elozino, lamenting that “the society we live in today, especially some of our institutions of higher learning and local communities, are harbouring criminals and ritualists in the guise of Yahoo business.

Source: Leader of Yahoo Plus gang that kidnapped, killed DELSU student slumps, dies

Two of the suspects

Related article::

Warning: You are going to read graphic details about the ritualistic killing of Elozine Ogege

‘We plucked Elozino’s eyes as she begged to be released before we killed her’

Published: December 2, 2018 – 9:31 AM
By: Emma Amaize, Editor, South-South

Crime the police cracked in a jiffy

IF there is one matter the police in Delta State handled with creditable nimbleness in the last few weeks, it was the fishing out of the Yahoo boys (internet fraudsters/ritualists) who allegedly decapitated a 300-level mass communication student of Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU), Elozino Joshualia Ogege.

However, notwithstanding the taking in, for questioning, of four alleged gangsters, suspected ritualists are still on the loose in the state, striking, last Wednesday, in Asaba, the state capital, and one more time, last Thursday, in Oghara, the country home of former Governor James Ibori, which seems to be the major operational target of the prowling executors.

Some Yahoo boys had abducted Elozino, whose death has brought their subversive activities into razor-sharp focus, November 15, and killed her three days after. While the police had three suspects in custody about 72 hours after, the alleged mastermind, a Ghanaian-based internet fraudster, slumped and died.

The suspects were said to have collaborated with some private security guards engaged by DELSU and kidnapped Elozino right inside the campus. This is what makes her case sad as friends said she was not the wayward type.

One of the security guards, a  suspected Yahoo boy and ritualist, arrested by the police, told Sunday Vanguard, “I was posted by my security supervisor (also in police custody) deliberately to arrange the abduction of female students for Yahoo boys.”

A source said Elozino, 22, looking for accommodation in the school’s lodging facility, was contacted on phone by the security guard and that was the last time those who knew her on campus saw her last.

Concerned about the rising cases of Yahoo boys and ritualists in the state, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, on November 26, gave the police marching orders to crackdown on gangsters.

How police tracked suspects – PPRO

Meanwhile, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Delta State Command, DSP Andrew Animamaka, told Sunday Vanguard, last Thursday, “Before the governor came up with the order, the Command had already mounted a search for the masterminds and any person who, in any way, may have had a hand in the gruesome murder of the young Elozino Ogege.”

Disclosing that the arrest of the suspects was a combination of efforts of different units of the command, he said, “The initial credit goes to the Abraka Division, which even, prior to the information getting to the Command Headquarters, Asaba, had been on the matter and the Anti-Kidnapping Task Squad then intervened and did the rest of the job. “The Elozino matter did not come to the police as death of somebody, it came as a case of missing person. The mother of the deceased reported she was missing and, quite unlike her, had not made contact; so she smelt foul play.

“That is what set the Abraka Division in search of her. The police got their breakthrough in the case with the tracking of her phone to a security guard through our tracking device. As you would expect, he (security guard) was in denial of how the phone got to him and we sought to see the person he said sold the phone to him.

“We got the second suspect through a search and it was denial all through, but we knew that hardened criminals do not easily own up. They will never own up until you get incontrovertible facts and do proper interrogation.

“Immediately information got to the Commissioner, Muhammad Mustafa, he ordered the transfer of the case to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and it was when the two suspects got to Asaba that they started confessing”.

Aniamaka went on, “First, we found that it was not just about them. There was a mastermind, somebody known to be a fraudster, and he had just come back from Ghana where he was said to have been engaged in internet fraud. We made efforts to pick him, it was not easy, but the good thing in our favour was the promptness, speed with which we worked.

“Between that Thursday and Saturday, we had most of the (alleged) perpetrators of the crime. Yes, one of them slumped, in fact, the mastermind, knowing that we had him slumped and gave up the ghost.

“The second (suspected) fraudster confessed that this was not his first time as he had been involved in four previous cases. He identified a 62-year-old herbalist as the person they took the body parts to, and, when we got to him through our undercover network, he was in denial. Immediately we got information on where his home is located, we laid ambush, watched the stream of people coming in and out of his home in Warri.

“Detectives bid their time, acted as if they were potential customers in targeting him until they were certain they were not going to lose him. Ab initio, he said he did not know them, but later he owned up that they had once brought human parts to him, which he destroyed.

“By the time we got to Asaba, he admitted that it was only once he got human parts from them, which he threw away.  Even the alleged mastermind, who slumped and died, confirmed in the presence of the herbalist that they took body parts to him to do ritual for them.

Source: ‘We plucked Elozino’s eyes as she begged to be released before we killed her’

The four suspects
Nigeria – Delta State (in red)

Nigeria: Police arrest two Yahoo boys, security guard over DELSU Student’s suspected ritual murder

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The number of suspected ritual killings in Nigeria… unfortunately, countless…! Of course, Nigeria is Africa’s most populated country, so no wonder, what happens elsewhere, happens in Nigeria manyfold. Be that as it may, the number of suspected or established ritual killings in Nigeria is revolting. Below another example, but there are too many to reproduce here. (webmaster FVDK)

Nigeria:
Police arrest two Yahoo boys, security guard over DELSU Student’s murder

Published: November 23, 2018
By: Ochei Matthew, Asaba

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammad Mustafa, said the command has arrested two Yahoo boys and a security guard over the murder of a female Delta State University student, Elozino Joshualia Ogege.

Elozino, 22, and 300 level student of Mass Communication was found dead in a bush at the outskirts of Abraka, Delta State, on November 18, 2018, after she was declared missing on the November 15.

The police boss told journalists on Friday in Asaba that the DELSU student was murdered by persons suspected to be ritual killers.

He reiterated that his command would not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that all the persons connected to the crime were arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

Mustafa said, “Some of the major suspects connected to the crime had been arrested and currently assisting the police with their investigation.”

He also asked the public to avail the command with credible information that would lead to the arrest of other actors in the crime.

Source: Police arrest two Yahoo boys, security guard over DELSU Student’s murder

Nigeria – Delta State (in red)

Guinea: moto taxi driver killed, his organs taken away

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The following ritual murder case is not a recent one. It dates from 2014. The reason for reporting it here is to illustrate that also in the West African country of Guinea ritual killings occur. Remember, most cases are not reported or discovered. So this case may be just the tip of the iceberg….

The original article is in French, the official language in Guinea. The translation below is mine.
(webmaster FVDK)

Published: February 4, 2014
By: © koaci.com – Nanita

Guinée : Un chauffeur de moto taxi tué et vidé de ses organes
Guinea: moto taxi driver killed, his organs taken away
Last Monday, the death of a moto-taxi driver whose body was found with several organs missing led to riots in Boké, a city 300 km north of the country’s capital Conakry. The confrontation between police and youngsters of Boké resulted in four severely injured persons and serious material damage.

It all started after the death was announced of a young moto taxi driver who was found dead in the bush, some 3 kilometers outside the city of Boké. His sexual organs and a finger were missing; blood stains were found on the body.

The protesters accused a rich businessman called “Soul” of having organized the ritualistic murder. They looted his shops and house but also shops of other traders. After the police intervened calm was restored. The authorities announced that a thorough investigation will start shortly.

Ritual murders followed by the ‘harvesting’ of organs are never solved in Guinea. The population denounces the indifference of the authorities and the corruption of the police and the legal system, but with no results.

Translated by the webmaster FVDK

Guinée- le 04 février 2014 © koaci.com – La mort d’un chauffeur de moto-taxi retrouvé amputé de plusieurs organes a provoqué lundi des émeutes dans la localité de Boké à plus de 300 km au Nord de Conakry.

Les heurts qui ont opposé les policiers aux jeunes de la localité de Boké ce lundi ont fait quatre blessés graves et de nombreux dégâts matériels.

Tout est parti de l’annonce de la mort d’un jeune chauffeur de moto-taxi retrouvé à plus de trois kilomètres de la ville en plein brousse. Le corps amputé de plusieurs organes, dont les organes génitaux et les doigts avec des traces de sang sur le reste du corps.

Les jeunes accusant un riche commerçant de la localité dénommé ”Soul” d’avoir orchestré cet assassinat à des fins mystiques, s’en sont pris à ses boutiques ainsi qu’à son domicile mais aussi à plusieurs magasins des commerçants de la ville.
Le calme est revenu dans la ville et dans les environs après une intervention musclée de la police. Une enquête serait ouverte pour élucider cette affaire selon les autorités.

En Guinée, les affaires d’assassinats suivis de vols d’organes ne sont jamais élucidées, la population décriant l’indifférence des autorités et la corruption des forces de l’ordre et de l’appareil judicaire.

Source: Guinée : Un chauffeur de moto taxi tué et vidé de ses organes

Zimbabwe: Missing toddler found dead at church shrine, ritual killing suspected

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Not all rumors are true, but rumors sometimes reflect a real fear. So, whereas we have to be very cautious to believe rumors, we can still attach some importance to their existence. Why is it that people believe so quickly a rumor that is circulating? Is it because it is so easy to imagine that it’s true? Did something comparable happen which indeed was true? Is it because it is so close to people’s fears?

Psychologists will have their expert view on the meaning and explanation of rumors. For the time being I just reproduce on this site some of the rumors that I encounter during my research on the occurrence of ritual killings in Africa. Not because I blindly believe these rumors. I cannot emphasize enough that we have to be careful in believing and spreading them. One of the purposes of this site on ritual killings in Africa is to help eliminate the fear of ritualistic murders that people in many African countries have. Another objective is to plead for the rule of law. Mob justice cannot be accepted or tolerated.

For these reasons I have decided to include the following rumor about a ritual murder in Zimbabwe after a missing toddler was found dead at a church shrine in Manicaland Province in the east of the country. Read and judge for yourself. (webmaster FVDK)

Missing toddler found dead at church shrine, ritual killing suspected

Published: November 9, 2018
By: Timothy
The Marange community is in a state of shock after a two-year-old child who had been missing for 11 days was found dead at a church shrine. Noah disappeared at the same church shrine in October only for his body be discovered 11 days at the shrine in a state of advanced decomposition. This has led to speculation from members of the community that Noah was killed for ritual purposes by a certain Mutare-based businessman whose name had been withheld. The businessman who has some shops at Marange Business Centre is alleged to have attempted to bribe Chief Marange with $10 000 so that the murder would not be publicised.

Speaking to the Manica Post, Chief Marange said,

I heard about the unfortunate death of the baby. The matter was brought before me. Some villagers stormed my homestead accusing me of sheltering the late Noah’s aunt whom they accused of conniving with the businessman to kill the baby for ritual purposes.

I heard that there is a WhatsApp message in circulation accusing me of conniving with him but that is not true. I never received anything from him. Villagers have been forcing me to summon the businessman but I can’t because there is no proof.

I will only intervene as a traditional leader if police confirm that it was murder and if the perpetrator is identified and there is a need for some compensation.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed that the body had been discovered but refused to provide further details on the case.

Source: Missing toddler found dead at church shrine, ritual killing suspected

Related article:

Toddler vanishes at church shrine … remains discovered 11 days later

Published: November 8, 2018
By: Staff reporter – Zimbabwe Daily

Liberty Dube Weekender Correspondent
A TWO-YEAR-OLD baby was last week found dead at St Noah Shrine in Mafararikwa, Marange 11 days after he mysteriously went missing in a suspected case of ritual killing.

Detectives discovered the body, which was in an advanced state of decomposition in the shrine.

The spine-chilling incident sent tongues wagging in Marange Village with social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp, awash with the occurrence and punctuated by allegations that the baby was killed for ritual purposes by a Marange-based businessman (name withheld). Noah disappeared at a church gathering at the church shrine on October 20 before he was found dead in the shrine on October 31. Police are still investigating the matter.
Noah’s mother Patience Fenyere (28) left him sleeping in a tent at the shrine at around 3pm on October 20. She later returned to discover that he had disappeared. Incessant efforts to locate him proved fruitless. They then alerted police.

‘‘One Arnold Mabiya (44) who works at the shrine stumbled on the body on October 31, which was in an advanced state of decomposition before detectives attended the scene,” said Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa.

Mary Marange

He neither denied nor confirmed if the deceased had missing body parts.

The mysterious death circulated on WhatsApp and the originator alleged that a Marange businessman (name withheld) who has retail shops at Marange Business Centre had a hand in it amid allegations that he attempted to bribe Chief Marange with $10 000 to put the murder case under wraps.

Chief Marange, however, denied the allegations in an interview with the Weekender at his homestead on Monday morning. Villagers interviewed expressed mixed views on the issue with many accusing the businessman of having a hand. Chief Marange confirmed that he last week had to call police after some rouge villagers stormed his homestead demanding to know the truth.

Chief Marange

“I heard about the unfortunate death of the baby. The matter was brought before me. Some villagers stormed my homestead accusing me of sheltering the late Noah’s aunt whom they accused of conniving with the businessman to kill the baby for ritual purposes. I heard that there is a WhatsApp message in circulation accusing me of conniving with him but that is not true. I never received anything from him. Villagers have been forcing me to summon the businessman but I can’t because there is no proof. I will only intervene as a traditional leader if police confirm that it was murder and if the perpetrator is identified and there is need for some compensation,” said Chief Marange.

Noah’s aunt, Mary Marange who was at the shrine when Noah disappeared said: “We went to a church gathering on the fateful day he was left asleep in the tent. We later came back and realised that he had gone missing. It was sad. Days later I was shocked to hear some of my relatives and villagers accusing me of knowing the person who killed the baby.

‘‘We really don’t know what happened and I am completely clean on this issue,” said Mary who was struggling to compose herself during the interview.  Said one villager: “We heard the story. And we are deeply shocked. The fact that the baby went missing in a shrine for 10 days, only to be found in the same shrine dead with the body in a state of advanced decomposition leaves a lot to be desired. We are hearing that this businessman is behind it and everyone is now afraid even to buy anything from his shop.”

Source: Toddler vanishes at church shrine … remains discovered 11 days later

Provinces of Zimbabwe

Malawi: man found with human bones of albino ‘killed last year’

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It’s being estimated that between November 2014 and March 2017 at least 18 albinos have been murdered in Malawi. Since then, these atrocious ritualistic killings and attacks on people living with albinism have continued unabated – as has been demonstrated by the numerous cases reported and reproduced on this site. These ugly practices must stop, not only in Malawi but also in other sub-Saharan countries! (webmaster FVDK)

Malawian man found with human bones of albino ‘killed last year’ 

Published: March 18, 2017
By: News24Wire

Police in Malawi say investigations have revealed that human bones found with a man arrested in Lilongwe last week were those of a person with albinism, who died in Mchinji last year, a report says.

At least 18 albinos  have been killed across Malawi since November 2014.

According to Malawi 24, police spokesperson Kaitano Lubrino said that preliminary findings indicated that the recovered bones were those of an albino person Spiriano Felix who was buried on April 20 last year, but his grave was tampered and exhumed by unknown criminals on May 6.

Lubrino said that Felix’s lower legs and lower arms were found to had been chopped off from his corpse, thus, prompting the police to launch a manhunt.

The police spokesperson said that after the suspects were arrested last week, a forensic histopatholographic examined the bones to confirm the identity of the bones which had been found.

Amnesty International said last year that albinos in Malawi were being targeted in an “unprecedented wave of brutal attacks”. The rights group blamed police for failing to tackle a scourge fuelled by ritual practices.

At least 18 albinos – who have white skin because of a hereditary condition that causes an absence of pigmentation – have been killed across Malawi since November 2014, the group said at the time.

Source: Malawian man found with human bones of albino ‘killed last year’. Police

Nigeria: Body of young woman found in Benin City (Edo State) with vital organs missing

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The number of reported cases of ritualistic murders in Nigeria is countless. Not a week passes without another alleged or real case of ritual killing. Nigeria is Africa’s most populated country – its population going to 200 million people – which partly explains the high number of ritual murders, as compared to other African countries, but it also seems as if there is an explosion of these atrocities in recent months.

I cannot and will not include on this site every ritual killing case in Nigeria, the following merely illustrates the foregoing. Be that as it may, it goes without saying that we always have to be careful in interpreting every case of a corpse found with vital organs missing as a ritual killing case. Some ‘ordinary’ murders may be pretended to be ritual murders by the perpetrator(s) in order to mislead or confuse the police investigating the crime.
(webmaster FVDK)

Warning: the following articles contain graphic photos.

Body of young woman found in Benin, with vital organs missing

Published: October 2, 2018
By: Motolani Alake

The feet of the sadly mutilated young woman and right; the baby found beside her (Instagram/Instablog9ja).The graphic video does not play here.

A young woman has been found dead on Sapele Road, Amagba, Benin, Edo State fully dressed in an outgoing attire. Her vital organs were also missing when she was found.

She looked like she was the victim of an unfortunate incident of the underworld.

According to Instablog9ja, a plank, that could be the murder weapon was found on her head, alongside her bag, containing a bottle of perfume while a baby, was also found beside her body.
In worrying circumstances, that includes a graphic video circling the internet, the lady was found to have had certain vital organs missing, indicating mutilation, potentially pointing to a ritual killing.

The beautiful, light-skinned lady was dressed in a dark gown and bright red shoes when she met her unfortunate ending at the ends of men of the underworld.

In the video, men who recorded the now viral video can be heard saying. “Na hustle the girl hustle.” Nobody knows whether she was truly a hustler, and it is immaterial at this time, but nobody deserves this.

This continues the recent trend of women being victims of violent crimes in Benin, along that road. A few months ago, a lady, believed to be a sex worker, was found in similar circumstances on that road, in what looks like a ritual killing.

The people of Edo State, please be careful during these trying times.

Source: Body of young woman found in Benin, with vital organs missing 

Related:
Lady killed by ritualists in Benin Edo State seen smiling moments before gruesome murder

Published: October 3, 2018
By: Naija Gists.com

Here is an update on a young lady that was murdered in a gruesome manner in Benin City Edo State few days ago.

The lady whose name is yet to be revealed reportedly snapped a photo and uploaded it online hours before she fell into the hands of the underworld who stoned her to death in a remote area in Amagba axis of Benin city.

Those who knew her said she left behind a baby.

A man who recorded the video said she as a hustler who happened to fall in the hands of ritualists.

Whether she is a hustler or not at is immaterial at this time because no one deserves this type of wickedness.

May her soul rest in piece.

(graphic photo omitted).

Source: Photos: Lady killed by ritualists in Benin Edo State seen smiling moments before gruesome murder

And:
Mother-of-one found mutilated along a bush in Edo State (Photos)

Published: October 2, 2018
By: Kikelomo Joseph A young lady has been founded dead after her killers mutilated her and dumped the remains along a bush part in Edo State.

The sad discovery was made, yesterday, along Sapele road, Amagba, Benin, Edo State.

The would-be murder weapon is thought to be a plank as it was found lying across her face.

According to reports, the deceased left a baby behind. The circumstances surrounding her death remain unknown, but her bag and perfume were found close to her body.

Source: Mother-of-one found mutilated along a bush in Edo State (Photos)

Nigeria – political map

Zimbabwe: MP Shocked As School Kids Made to Research Ritual Murders

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The reproduced article below is interesting as it refers to the occurrence of the phenomenon of ritual murders in Zimbabwe and the removal of private body parts to practice juju though it does not cite a particular case. I found the news relevant enough for the purpose of this site. Definitely, not all cases of ritualistic killings are discovered or reported and what we know of these atrocities is only the top of the iceberg. Since the original article published  by the Zimbabwean news site NewZimbabwe.com could not be accessed I have used the reproduction by allAfrica.com. The reader should know that articles on the latter site disappear behind a paywall after a certain lapse of time.
(webmaster FVDK)

Zimbabwe: MP Shocked As School Kids Made to Research Ritual Murders, Vows to Fight for the Withdrawal of the New Curriculum

Published: February 4, 2018
By: NewZimbabwe.com

Zanu PF legislator, Joseph Tshuma, has taken a swipe at the education curriculum, describing the new syllabus as retrogressive and shocking.

The MP for Mpopoma-Phelandaba also vowed to fight for the withdrawal of the curriculum in parliament.

“I was shocked to hear of some of the contents of the new education curriculum when I visited various schools with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on a fact finding mission this week.

“For example, the new curriculum requires students to carry out research on how people practice juju by killing other people and get their private body parts. What values are we inculcating in our young people?” asked Tshuma.

He also criticised the new education programme for burdening students, especially those at primary school, with various research projects.

Tshuma and his committee visited various schools to gather information and views on the new curriculum.

“The parliamentary portfolio committee on education is on a fact finding mission to find out the effects of the new education curriculum and other related matters. The committee wanted to find out how the education curriculum is being viewed as well as the challenges which students and teachers are encountering in implementing this syllabus,” added the Zanu PF legislator.

On Tuesday last week, the committee visited Entumbane High school, Mpopoma High, Mpumelelo Primary School, Milton Junior and Petra High in Bulawayo.

The committee has also visited some schools in Norton, Gweru and Chegutu. The team is also expected to visit some schools in Matebeleland South and Matebeleland North.

The new education curriculum, introduced by former Primary and Secondary Education minister, Lazarus Dokora, has faced stiff resistance from parents but Dokora has defended it.

Dokora’s predecessor, Paul Mavhima, has promised to review some aspects of the controversial education programme although he said it was going to remain.

Read the original article on New Zimbabwe.(not accessible)

Source: Zimbabwe: MP Shocked As School Kids Made to Research Ritual Murders, Vows to Fight for the Withdrawal of the New Curriculum

Kenya: Popular witchdoctor claims Monica Kimani’s murder might have been a ritual killing

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The following article is reproduced here to illustrate that we have to be cautious when reading news and related articles on alleged ritual murders. In this respect, too many rumors circulate in too many African countries and – luckily – often they’re not true. Be that as it may, the superstition behind these rumors reveals a real problem: the real fear of ordinary people for these ritualistic killings. Hence, though – fortunately – these crimes occur less frequent than the numerous rumors suggest, the ease with which these rumors spread in African societies are a clear indication that the phenomenon of ritualistic murders has not been wiped out in these societies. Related to the foregoing is the position and role of witchdoctors in African societies, as is shown in the following murder case.
We should have this in mind when reading the article below.
PS The added articles throw a different light on the murder of Monica Kimani.
(webmaster FVDK)

Ritual killing ndio wapate power na pesa?!

Popular witchdoctor claims Monica Kimani’s murder might have been a ritual killing

Published: October 11, 2018
By: Geoffrey Mbuthia
mpasho – Contact: info@mpasho.co.ke

The late Monica Kimani

Monica Kimani’s murder has opened a can of worms into so many lives that every day one wonders what new and crazy thing will we discover? Apart from the huuuuge news that television personality Jacque Maribe and her fiancé are the prime suspects.

The prime suspects, TV celebrity Jacque Maribe and her fiancé, Joseph Irungu alias Jowie

Jacque Maribe and Joe IrunguJacque Maribe and Joseph Irungu
Now a new twist has been thrown into this whole affair with claims that her murder might have been a ritual killing. What?

A quick reminder: Monica’s lifeless body was discovered with her mouth taped shut and her hands and legs tied behind her back. Her throat had been slit open from ear to ear. Early reports indicate that she had been decapitated.

According to SDE, a witchdoctor who cleansed the mystery suspect who was with Joe on the night of the killing. Why would one be cleansed after committing a murder? Priests of old would wash themselves after offering a sacrifice. Cleansing, in this case, may speak of a ritual killing.

Monica Kimani  Was her murder a ritual killing?

The great resource that is Wikipedia, states that it is the act of killing one or more humans, usually as an offering to a deity. Human sacrifice has been practiced in various cultures throughout history. Victims were typically ritually killed in a manner that was supposed to please or appease gods, spirits or the deceased.

SDE goes on to claim that:

NOW, A  MISSING SUSPECT IN THE MURDER OF MONICA IS REPORTED TO HAVE TRAVELLED TO MOMBASA TO SEEK “CLEANSING” BY A WITCH-DOCTOR.

This according to a few detectives who spoke to SDE and have travelled to Mombasa to find the mystery suspect. They say that the suspect was believed to be holding vital evidence taken from Monica’s house, including some cash, the killer weapon, house and car keys, and clothes.

Monica Kimani  The late Monica Kimani

A police affidavit claimed:

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT IRUNGU WAS SEEN IN THE COMPANY OF ANOTHER PERSON NEAR THE CRIME SCENE.

It added:

THE IDENTITY OF THE PERSON SEEN WITH IRUNGU HAS YET TO BE ESTABLISHED BUT THE INVESTIGATING TEAM IS FOLLOWING LEADS.

The reason they are searching for this other mystery man is that Joe, the main suspect in the murder was in the company of another man whose identity police are searching for.

Joe Irungu  Joe Irungu in court

Surveillance cameras on the roads he used from off Denis Pritt Road, show Joe and the mystery suspect.

Source: Ritual killing ndio wapate power na pesa?! Popular witchdoctor claims Monica Kimani’s murder might have been a ritual killing

Related articles::

Did missing suspect in Monica Kimani’s murder visit witchdoctor for cleansing?

Published: October 12 (?), 2018
By: Cyrus Ombati

The late Monica Kimani (Photo: Courtesy)

The missing suspect in the murder of Monica Nyawira Kimani might have travelled to Mombasa to seek “cleansing” by a witchdoctor, police have said.

Officers said the suspect was believed to be holding vital evidence taken from Monica’s house, including some cash, the killer weapon, house and car keys, and clothes.

Monica’s body was found in her apartment at Lamuria Gardens off Denis Pritt road in Nairobi on September 20.

A team of detectives has been in Mombasa since Sunday amid claims the suspect could have gone to a witch doctor or two for “blessings”.

Sources in the team said they were pursuing good leads on the possible whereabouts of the mystery suspect in Mombasa.

Police said the suspect was believed to have been in the company of another suspect, Joseph Irungu, on the day Monica was killed.

TV journalist Jacque Maribe and her fiancé, Irungu, are set to be charged in court on Monday over the murder.

“Preliminary investigations have established that Irungu was seen in the company of another person near the crime scene,” said the police in an affidavit.

“The identity of the person seen with Irungu has yet to be established but the investigating team is following leads,” they said.

According to police, Irungu was using Maribe’s car when he was seen driving in and out of the compound of Monica’s apartment block.

Images of the car captured by surveillance cameras on the roads he used from off Denis Pritt Road to his residence in Lang’ata show the driver was in the company of another man whose identity police are searching for.

Joseph Irungu alias Jowie, one of the suspects (Photo: Courtesy)

Another team of detectives has been in Juba, South Sudan, since Sunday. Monica stayed and worked in Juba and police want to retrace her movements and activities.

The team is investigating what she carried when she left Juba for Nairobi on September 19.

They also want to know what she did for a living, her earnings and any other activities she could have engaged in.

Money theory

This is part a theory that money might have been a possible motive for Monica’s murder.

Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti said he was still waiting for reports from the teams on the ground.

In Juba, Monica was said to have been running her family business, Milly Paul General Trading Limited, which provided cleaning services for corporates and was contracted by a number of Kenyan companies.

Separately, Irungu, who was remanded at the Industrial Area Remand Prison, spent Tuesday night at the facility’s dispensary after complaining of pain from a wound that police said they suspected was self-inflicted.

Police said they suspected that Irungu attempted to commit suicide at Maribe’s house in Royal Park estate, Lang’ata, Nairobi.

Maribe was said to have been in low spirits when police visited her yesterday at Lang’ata Women’s Prison and did not want to talk.

TV celebrity Jacque Maribe, fiancée of Joseph Irungu, is suspected of involvement in the murder of Monica Kimani (Photo: Courtesy)

According to an officer involved in the case, Maribe became a suspect under the law that states that everyone is a party to an offence who actually commits it, does anything to aid any person to commit it or abets any person in committing it.

“Where two or more persons form an intention in common to carry out an unlawful purpose and to assist each other therein and any one of them, in carrying out the common purpose, commits an offence, each of them who knew or ought to have known that the commission of the offence would be a probable consequence of carrying out the common purpose is a party to that offence,” the officer said.

“An accessory after the fact to an offence is one who, knowing that a person has been a party to the offence, receives, comforts or assists that person for the purpose of enabling that person to escape,” said the officer citing the law.

Mr Kinoti was said to have personally interrogated Maribe as part of efforts to crack the case.

Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji said he had independently reviewed the evidence so far on record before deciding to charge Maribe and Irungu.

Source: Did missing suspect in Monica Kimani’s murder visit witchdoctor for cleansing?

Another related article:

Jowie Irungu, Monica Kimani’s killer consulted a witchdoctor after the murder

Published: October 11, 2018, refreshed 09:35
By: Tony Mukere

Details have now emerged that one of the suspected killers of Monica Kimani fled to Mombasa to seek help from a witchdoctor.

Jowie Irungu, one of the suspects

Police investigations have shown that the prime suspect Joseph ‘Jowie’ Irungu was in the company of another man on the night detectives believe he brutally murdered Monica.

His accomplice is also believed to be holding crucial evidence taken from Monica’s house, including some cash, the killer weapon (believed to be a knife), house and car keys, and clothes.

The search for the unidentified man has seen homicide detectives travel to Mombasa after learning he had travelled there to seek cleansing.

The hunt for the suspect has come at a time when the DPP has authorized murder charges against Jowie and his celebrity fiancé Jacque Maribe.

The detectives working on the case are reported to be working under pressure ahead of the start of the murder trial scheduled to start on Monday when the two suspects will record statements.

Although the publicly reported information showed Maribe as an accessory, who aided Jowie after the murder, detectives have explained that they believe she was involved before or during the murder.

“Where two or more persons form an intention in common to carry out an unlawful purpose and to assist each other therein and any one of them, in carrying out the common purpose, commits an offence, each of them who knew or ought to have known that the commission of the offence would be a probable consequence of carrying out the common purpose is a party to that offence.”

“An accessory after the fact to an offence is one who, knowing that a person has been a party to the offence, receives, comforts or assists that person for the purpose of enabling that person to escape,” an officer working on the case was quoted by the Standard.

Click the link in the source mentioned below to play the video (55 seconds)

Source: Jowie Irungu, Monica Kimani’s killer consulted a witchdoctor after the murder

The death of Monica Kimani has puzzled Kenya since she was found brutally murdered in her apartment. Below follow two more articles related to this murder case. Those interested in more details are advised to Google ‘Monica Kimani’s murder’ and they’ll get what they want (at least 50 articles) – FVDK. 

Another related article:

Revealed: The man who assisted Joseph Irungu to kill Monica Kimani before fleeing to Tanzania.

Published: October 19, 2018
By: Kenya Digital News

Current reports say that the identity of the man who accessed the late Monica Kimani’s
apartment with Jowie and assisted him in carrying out the heinous murder before stealing millions of shillings in foreign currencies has been identified.

His name is Jennings Olando and they are very close friends.

Trusted reports say that on the material day when Monica was killed, Jowie and
Olando were having drinks together with other friends at Road House Grill in Kilimani.

Later, the duo excused themselves around 9 pm saying that they were going for a job
elsewhere.

They later resurfaced at the same club around 2 am.

Detectives are looking for Olando who is believed to have fled to Tanzania.

It has also been reported that a day after Monica Kimani was killed, Olando went to Eastleigh where he exchanged over $4,000 to Kenya shillings and then travelled to Mombasa.

After arriving in the beautiful city of Mombasa, he is alleged to have sought the services of a witchdoctor to cleanse him and then fled to Tanzania.

His current location is not known.

Monica was found in a bathtub at her apartment in Lamuria Gardens in Kilimani, with her throat slit.

Her hands and legs were also tied when the body was discovered by her brother who had failed to reach her on phone and decided to visit the house.

The deceased was murdered on the day she arrived in the country from Juba, where she operated their family business, and was scheduled to travel to Dubai to meet her South Sudanese fiancée, with whom they were reportedly planning a wedding.

Another detective briefed on the DNA outcome said it shows that Jowie may have had sexual contact with the deceased before or after the killing.

Earlier reports said police are beginning to get a clearer profile of the killer from the way he operated and have now concluded that he is highly trained and killed Ms Kimani with the precision of a highly trained assassin.

There was no sign of struggle in the apartment and Ms Kimani made no noise when her attacker struck.

Results of DNA analysis on samples collected from the house of slain businesswoman Monica Kimani are out.

The outcome of the tests was submitted to the officers handling the murder case at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday.

DNA tests and fingerprint analysis placed Joseph Irungu at the scene of the murder of Monica Kimani.

Joseph Irungu, alias Jowie, has been placed at the heart of the investigation into the murder of the woman whose body was found in a bathtub in her Nairobi apartment with her throat slit.

Reports say that DNA tests on semen found on the murdered woman ,Monicah Kimani, and other samples from under her nails, confirmed with a 99.9 per cent accuracy that they belonged to Irungu.

This has placed him at the scene of crime on the material day and time.

Other samples which include bloodstained fingerprints also matched 99 per cent those collected from Irungu.

A senior officer involved in the probe said, “We are now working on witnesses.”

Other samples with similar findings had been dusted from an adhesive tape that was found covering Monica’s mouth, a rope used to tie her hands, and the bathtub.

The bloodstains were found on a sofa set. The investigators said fingerprints lifted from Monica’s body also matched those of Irungu.

Government Chemist Detectives from the Homicide Unit at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters have been working with officials from the Government Chemist in the analysis of the samples.

Ms Kimani, 28, was murdered in her house on the night of September 19 and 20, and her body— with a throat slit from ear to ear, taped tied mouth and tied legs and hands— left in the bathtub with the water running.

Her assailants threw her two phones in a bathtub full of water before locking the house and leaving with the apartment keys.

Police believe the killer used a knife to cut Monica’s throat but he knife is yet to be found.

Police say that the phones which were recovered and analysed gave crucial information.

In addition, police said that pieces of cloth subjected to forensic tests also provided crucial clues, police said.

The team also dusted a car that Irungu was using on September 19, when Monica was killed.

The office of the Government Chemist was recently moved to the DCI, and this now seems to be working in expediting the quick resolution of crimes.

Images captured by police cameras of the car Irungu used from Denis Pritt Road to his Lang’ata residence showed that the driver was in the company of another man.

Source: Revealed: The man who assisted Joseph Irungu to kill Monica Kimani before fleeing to Tanzania.

And:

Jacque Maribe and her fiancé plead not guilty to Monica Kimani murder

Published: October 15, 2018
By: African Stand Staff

TV celebrity Jacque Maribe and her fiancé Joseph Irungu plead not guilty to Monica Kimani murder

Kenyan TV anchor Jacque Maribe and her fiancé Joseph Irungu alias Jowie have pleaded not guilty to Monica Kimani’s murder.

At the Milimani Law Courts, the duo pleaded not guilty to the murder of Monica Kimani. This preceded last week’s ruling where Justice Lessit ordered mental assessment of Maribe and medical treatment for Irungu.

Irungu’s counsel Mugambi Laichena asked the court to ensure he is furnished with all documents and exhibits that the prosecution will rely on

Katwa Kigen for Maribe also requested for close hearing dates, all prosecution documents, investigation diary and investigation officers’ statements. The defence team also requested for the trial dates to be declared.

Public prosecutor Catherine Mwaniki told the court that her office can only provide the defence team with the details once the Witness Protection Agency gives direction on witness protection.

She was however not averse to setting early trial dates as requested by Mr Kigen.

Justice Lesiit directed that the victim’s family had up to the morning of Tuesday, October 16, to file an affidavit seeking to bar release of the two suspects on bail, which application will be served to the defence team and heard on Wednesday.

Justice Lesiit said that another judge will take up the case as from Wednesday but did not name him or her when lawyer Kigen asked her about it.

Maribe has been detained at the Langata Women Prison while Irungu is held at the Industrial Area Remand Prison, Nairobi.

Katwa Kigen and Cliff Ombeta representing Maribe and Irungu respectively said they were ready for the next stage of the case. They emphasised that their clients are innocent.

Justice Jessie Lesiit on Tuesday directed the prosecution ensure that Ms Maribe undergoes mental assessment within a week, so that she can take a plea.

Last week Justice Lesiit cleared Irungu to seek medical attention for treatment of a bullet wound on his chest. The prosecution is lining up over ten witnesses to solidify the case.

On Thursday Jacque Maribe was declared fit to stand trial.  On the same day, another suspect, Brian Kasaine was released and ordered to report to police once a week. He is expected to be a witness.

Kasaine’s arrest came after it emerged Irungu might have used Kasaine’s  gun in attempted suicide.

Police believe that the attempt took place in Maribe’s house at the Royal Park estate in Langata, hours after the body of Monica was discovered at her Kilimani house. They are trying to link the September 19 murder to Irungu’s gunshot wound. Another man seen at the murder scene is yet to be arrested.

The police believe that the missing man has knowledge of the killer weapon and will help establish the motive of the murder.  The search for the suspect was extended to Mombasa last week.

Monica’s body was found in the bathtub of her apartment at Lamuria Gardens, Kilimani,with her throat slit. Her hands were tied at the back and the water was still running when her body was found.

Source: Jacque Maribe and her fiance plead not guilty to Monica Kimani murder

Ganta, Liberia : Alvino Hotel, ransacked in 2015, resurrected

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The first reproduced article below is not meant to express my belief in the involvement or guilt of any of the persons linked to the alleged ritual killing referred to in the article. With this article I want to focus both on the ‘never ending’ practice of ritual murders in Liberia and on the mob justice that took place in Ganta, Liberia, on September 30, 2015. The riots following another ritual murder in the area illustrate one of the main messages of the present site: the need for more respect for the laws of the country – by its citizens – and the strengthening of the rule of law – by the national authorities.

On September 30, 2015 a mob ransacked the Alvino Hotel in Ganta, owned by Prince Howard, burnt down his private residence and even destroyed the three-storey minimart, speculating that he was behind a ritual murder that allegedly had been committed in the city. The suspected ritualistic killing was the third murder in Nimba County within a relatively short period of time. As repeatedly said, the phenomenon of ritual killings has never completely disappeared in Liberia. The death of a motorcyclist by the hands of a ritual killer was followed by widespread riots. At one point, the government even decided to impose a curfew. For more information on the incident mentioned, the riots, as well as the three ritual murders, please read the following reproduced articles.
Warning: some photos and articles contain graphic details. 

(Webmaster FVDK)

Following arson attack in 2015, leading hotel in Ganta back in business

Partial view of the new Alvino Hotel in Ganta

Published: September 27, 2018
By: Ishmael F. Menkor
Daily Observer

After years of devastation, the Alvino Hotel in Ganta has now reopened to the public, with new design and with modern facilities.

Opening ceremony, which was held on Saturday, September 22, 2018, brought together some high profile bankers and business executives of Liberia, including president of the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI), John B. S. Davies and his predecessor, Mr. Francis A. Dennis; as well as the President of Liberia Business Association, among others.

In his opening remark, the proprietor of the Alvino Hotel, Prince Howard, explained his ordeal about how his hotel was destroyed and the resilience it took to have the hotel restored. He praised LBDI for assisting him the process of reconstructing the building.

“With resilience, I championed the cost of reconstructing the facility to restore hope to those who rely on the investment for employment,” he said. “With the invaluable assistance of the LBDI, I was able to work, not just to restore the existing structure and facility, but improve it to international standard.”

The Alvino Hotel suffered an arson attack by an angry mob on September 30, 2015, when they linked Howard to the death of a motorcyclist who was found brutally murdered in Ganta. The mob ransacked the hotel, burnt down his private residence and even destroyed the three-storey minimart, speculating that he was behind the killing for ritual purposes.

He condemned the act and considered the perpetrators as “limited in life”, saying, “blood does not make money, so we should stop deadly envy and invest in infrastructure.”

“Liberians, let us invest in ourselves and the LBDI, our Liberian bank, because it through the LBDI that I was able to build the first Alvino and now this new one,” he said.

LBDI president Davies said he was disappointed and frustrated when heard people say that Alvino was built with blood money, in spite of the fact that LBDI had loaned Mr. Howard US$100,000 for the first construction. He said all of this happened because the state failed to protect taxpayers against violence.

Mr. Davies explained that following the attack, they tried by all means to get the state to pay for the damaged properties, but their efforts failed.

He said the LBDI will not allow the investment of its entrepreneurs go into ashes. Therefore, after their efforts to get the government for the damage failed, the LBDI decided to loan Howard another US$300,000 to rebuild the hotel.

He said that LBDI will continue to support the hotel until every aspect or condition is improved.

Senator Oscar Cooper thanked the LBDI for the support given Prince Howard for the second time. “It is the private sector that will support this country,” he said, calling on the government to do more to help businesses.

He urged the management of new Alvino to insure the property and encouraged Liberians to be strong in business and stop relying on government.

Francis Dennis, former president of LBDI and of the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, encouraged Howard to keep on, saying, “A setback is a set up for comeback.”

The new Alvino Hotel is one of the leading hotels in Ganta, with electronic doors, a modern conference room with wireless projector, modern bar and restaurant and two presidential suites.

Meanwhile, Howard has named the night club “9/30”, in memory of the event that devastated his properties.

Source: Alvina Hotel Resurrected

Below a number of related articles:

45 Charged in Ganta violence

Published: October 19, 2015
By: The New Democrat

The Liberia National Police (LNP) has charged 45 suspects in the Ganta violence in Nimba County with murder, property theft, riot and arson.

Police deputy spokesman, Lewis Norman told the New Democrat Wednesday, the LNP has concluded its investigation of perpetrators of the Ganta violence and 45 people were charged accordingly and are awaiting trial.

He disclosed that three persons, Bill Lawrence, Tony Sekie and Fanta Kamara were charged with murder in connection with the killing of the motorcyclist near the Methodist Compound in Ganta city. The killing sparked the violence.
Other suspects were charged with theft of property, rioting and arson.

Angry residents of Ganta City, including motorcyclists on September 30 went on the rampage to protest the mysterious death of Milton Weatgbeh, believed to be a motorcyclist and set business houses and the residence of a local businessman Prince Howard ablaze.

Mob justice in Ganta following a third ritual murder. An angry crowd suspected the owner of the vino Hotel, Prince Howard, being involved in the recent ritual killing.

The protesters also set up roadblocks and looted other businesses in the city to avenge the death of the motorcyclist whose body was found near the Ganta United Methodist High School sports pitch.

Prince Howard, owner of the Alvino Hotel in Ganta City was accused of masterminding the killing of motorcyclist Weatgbeh for ritualistic purposes, an allegation the businessman denied.

Norman explained that Howard was also investigated but because nothing established his involvement with the death of the motorcyclist, he was set free.

He noted the Police have nothing with Mr. Howard because the person who implicated him was killed in the Ganta turmoil, leaving the police with no evidence to hold Prince Howard culpable for murder.

Information Minister Lewis G. Brown at the MICAT regular press briefing Tuesday noted there was a growing public concerns about mob violence as the UNMIL drawdown gains momentum.
Mr. Brown said in 2015 alone, Montserrado, Sinoe, Grand Bassa, River Gee and Nimba counties have experienced mob violence. He said mob violence is mob injustice, which undermines the rule of law.

“The rule of law may not always deliver what we may want, but it keeps the society safe and peaceful,” he emphasized.

The Information Minister also disclosed that according to UNMIL reports, from January to September 2013 there were 46 mob related incidents and 32 in the same period in 2012.

Source: 45 charged in Ganta violence

And: 

Liberia: Weak Justice System Promotes Violence

Published: October 8, 2018
By:The New Dawn /  Liberian Law Makers Watch

Nimba County Senator Thomas Grupee, has cautioned here that weak and delayed justice system promotes mob violence, something, he said should not be the case of Liberia.

Sen. Grupee, who is the Senate Committee Chair on Internal Affairs,described as unfortunate, the recent bloody violence in Ganta, Nimba County, which led to loss of lives and properties. Speaking to members of the Legislative Press Pool Wednesday at the Capitol Building, he said gone are those days when people took the laws into their hands, while emphasizing the need for the justice system in Liberia to become pro­active to win public trust or else, people will always want pay back whenever they realized things are not handled speedily by the national government.

Senator Grupee noted that in barely one month, the people of Nimba experienced three suspected ritualistic killings in the county, but the government has delayed in responding to those incidents. The Lawmaker however clarified that he does not support the action of his kinsmen in killing and burning down private and public properties in an apparent reprisal attack.

According to him, the best option to maintaining peace and stability in Liberia is for government to serve victims of injustice by making the justice system speedily pro­active. Senator Grupee made these assertions after returning from a public account conference in Lome, Togo where he represented the country.

Chaos erupted in Ganta,Nimba County last week Wednesday when angry mob attacked the Ganta Police Station, including an office of the Drugs Enforcement Agency following the reported discovery of the dead body of a motorcyclist near The Ganta Methodist compound.

The deceased was discovered lying in a pool of blood around the 404 community in Ganta with deep cuts on his head. The angry mob, mostly youths, stormed the Ganta Police Station, damaged a Police vehicle, and looted the entire police station before breaking into a police withholding cell and releasing inmates there.

The mob subsequently set ablaze a local business center, Avino Hotel and theprivate residence of a local businessman, Prince Howard. Meanwhile, the Government of Liberia thru the Ministry of Justice in Monrovia has launched an investigation into the Ganta violence following several arrests by the Liberia National Police.

Source: Liberia: Weak Justice System Promotes Violence

And:

Curfew imposed in Ganta

Published: October 1, 2015
By: Franklin Doloquee, NImba, with additional reporting by Winston Parley in Monrovia
The New Dawn, Liberia

2015 – Ganta, Liberia – Violence after a series of ritual murders

Private properties were set ablaze in addition to a police station, as angry residents, mostly youths went on the rampage demanding justice for a 14-year old motorcyclists  whose body was discovered near the United Methodist Compound in Ganta, Nimba County.

The victim, reportedly hailed from Gipo Town, electoral district# 8, but was a resident of Ganta up to his death. The angry youths including motorcyclists of Ganta and adjacent areas destroyed several private properties, particularly businesses owned by a prominent resident, Prince Howard, accused of involvement into the deceased’s death.

The victim has been identified as Melton Wehgbay. His death followed the discovery of another dead motorcyclist few days ago in the same county. 15-year-old Josephus Yeawon, a resident of  Peace Community in Ganta, was reportedly invited by his 17-year-old colleague, Josiah Balmo, to go for a palm wine ride along the Ganta-Saclepea highway when he was similarly found dead.

Earlier, a seven-year-old girl, who had reportedly gone missing on August 7, 2015, was found dead with several body parts missing.

The angry residents also mobbed a resident of Congo community in Ganta to death. The deceased was identified as ‘Decent Boy’, 28.
He was attacked after the angry crowd spotted bloodstain on his motorbike, thus, suspecting him of involvement into the death of Melton Wehgbay. The rioters ransacked and  looted several public buildings, including the Drugs Enforcement Agency office, office of the Mayor of Ganta and the police station in Ganta before moving onto Mr. Prince Howard’s compound that contains a three storey building and setting it ablaze.
The whereabouts of Mr. Howard and his entire family are said to be unknown.  Normal activities in Ganta, including school and businesses were at a standstill on Wednesday due to  the violence with the authorizes declaring a curfew.

Meanwhile, riot police officers of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) from Monrovia and the Police Support Unit (PSU) from the Gbarnga Regional Hub have been dispatched to Ganta in response to the chaos that led to the destruction of private and public properties.
On Wednesday, 30 September the rioters in Ganta set free 22 detainees who were in police cell and then set the police station ablaze in Ganta, Deputy Police Spokesman Mr. Lewis Norman told reporters yesterday afternoon.

The authorities here in Monrovia say they have arrested six persons in connection to the vandalism in Ganta, but they told reporters that the situation was under control and urged the public to remain calm. Mr. Norman listed those arrested in after the violent riot as Jackie Lannon, Armstrong Zayzay, Oswa Gbangbay, Ericson Samuel, Francis Togbah and Abraham Jalloh.

The violence began when a dead body believed to be that of a motorcyclist was discovered around the Methodist Compound in Ganta; with rumor further being spread that another corpse believed to be a man identified as Milton Kpaklah had also been discovered in one Prince Howard’s house in Ganta.

Prior to the alleged discoveries of a corpose in Mr. Howard’s house and the one near the Methodist Compound, suspects David Lawrence and Asha Fofana had been held in police custody for the alleged disappearance of two persons in the area.
In the aftermath of claim by the rioters that a body was in Mr. Howard’s house, Police say rioters burnt both his car and house, and a local hotel called Alvion on Sanniquellie Road in Ganta. Investigators are yet to attach cost to the violence, but Mr. Norman says the situation has been brought under control.

Source: Curfew imposed in Ganta

And:

Motorcyclist found dead with missing body parts

Published: September 29, 2015
By: Franklin Doloquee, Nimba, Edited by Jonathan Browne
The New Dawn, Liberia

The remains of a 15-year-old motorcyclist, who reportedly went missing in Ganta, have been found with several body parts missing in electoral district #8, Nimba County.

The late Josephus Yeawon, was allegedly invited last week Tuesday, 22 September by a 17-year-old friend, Jacob Blamo, to go for a ‘palm wine ride’ on the Ganta-Saclepea highway when he met his demise under circumstances suspected to be ritualistic killing.

His body was found with several parts, including throat, eyes, tongue, ears and heart cut off. The NewDawn Nimba correspondent says the mysterious death of Josephus brings to two the number of motorcyclists discovered dead in the county in less than a year.

The incident has created serious panic among residents of Ganta, including citizens of district #8. The deceased’s body was found between Blohn Town and Whyla Town in the district.  A lady, who spoke to this paper following news of Josephus’ death, expressed fear for her own life.

Kou Paye, a marketer in Ganta, lamented that when suspected murderers are arrested in Nimba, the county’s lawmakers allegedly intervene to have them released, wondering how could such behavior stop.
She specifically pointed accusing fingers at Nimba County electoral district #5 Representative, Samuel Kogar, who allegedly wrote a letter recently to the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie, demanding the release of a murder suspect charged by the court.

The suspect, Stephen Monwon, is now a free man, going about his normal business in Bleeplay, Nimba County. Meanwhile, no arrest has been made in connection with the mysterious death of motorcyclist Josephus Yeawon. His friend, Jacob Blamo, who allegedly invited him for a ‘palm wine ride’ has not been called in for questioning.

Source: Motorcyclist found dead with missing body parts

More:

Top Nimba County businessman linked to the ritual murder of a motorcyclist 

Published: September 30, 2015
By: Global News Network, GNN Liberia

Property of businessman Prince Howard set ablaze by angry crowd

Following the brutal murder of a motorcyclist during the week in Ganta City, Nimba County by unknown persons, dozens of motorcyclists, and women groups have reportedly taken the entire City hostage in retaliation to the death of a motorcyclist.

According to our Nimba County Correspondent, during the clashes which are ongoing, additional two persons have been pronounced dead as angrily roiters stormed the entire city, making commercial activities to come to complete halt.

Some of those arrested in connection to the death of the motorcyclist, according to our Correspondent have linked the owner of the most famous Alvino Hotel, Prince Howard of been behind the death of the motorcyclist.

The detained suspects during police investigation said they were instructed by Mr. Howard to brutally kill their victims early Tuesday morning, September 29, 2015 in Ganta.

According to our Correspondent in Ganta, the Police detachment in the County has been arrested and detained Mr. Howard for his alleged linked to the murder of the motorcycle.

Our Correspondent further said angry motorcyclists have looted and burnt to down the residence of Mr. Howard, while police have barricaded the Alvino Hotel owned by the accused.

Some of the angry motorcyclists who spoke to our Correspondent alleged that the accused is always noted of performing ritual through the making of human sacrifices for wealth.

Youthful Prince Howard owned the most beautiful hotels in the County.

Detail will follow in our subsequent posting.

Source: Liberia: Top Nimba County Businessman Links To The Murder Of A Motorcyclist

And another article:

Curfew imposed in northern Liberia after ritual killings spark protests

Published: October 1, 2015
Reporting by Alphonso Toweh and James Harding Giahyue; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by James Dalgleish (Reuters)

Ganta, Nimba County: Angry residents went on the rampage demanding justice

MONROVIA (Reuters) – Authorities imposed a curfew in a town in northern Liberia after violent protests following a wave of suspected ritual killings, authorities said on Wednesday.

Residents of Ganta on the border with Guinea said protests began after the killing of a motorcyclist on Wednesday. That came just a day after the discovery of the body of a 13-year-old girl who had disappeared weeks earlier.

A local police commander said one person was killed and several were wounded in the protests, in which several properties were destroyed. Government officials in Monrovia did not confirm the death.

“We will not hesitate to bring to book anyone in connection with this violence,” Justice Minister Benedict Sannoh said in a national address. He said six people had been arrested for their part in the protests.

The girl’s death was the most recent in what is believed to be a years-long string of ritualistic killings in the area that have been blamed by local residents on politicians and businessmen seeking political power.

Though relatively rare, cases of ritual murders have been recorded in several African countries, with body parts sometimes used in ceremonies believed to confer supernatural powers. Children are particularly sought out as targets.

Residents said violence erupted after two people who were arrested for the girl’s murder said a local businessman had hired them to perform it.

A police spokesman said that rioters also broke into Ganta’s police station and released 22 prisoners. He said the businessman has been arrested in Banga in the centre of Liberia.

Source: Curfew imposed in northern Liberia after ritual killings spark protests

And another article:

RITUAL ABUSE IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: Psychological, Forensic, Social and Political Implications Kindle Edition by Randy Noblitt (Editor), Pamela Perskin (Editor)

Published: October 1. 2015
By: Child Abuse Blog

Allegations of ritual abuse are universal and mental health professionals, theologians, law enforcers, scholars, victim advocates, and others struggle to comprehend the enormity of the devastation left in the wake of these heinous acts. Ritual Abuse in the Twenty-first Century addresses the concerns that naturally evolve from any discussion of this phenomenon from the perspectives of professionals, advocates, and survivors from around the world. How valid are the survivors’ stories? Is there evidence? What are the consequences of these acts to the individual and society? Why have these allegations been ignored or discredited whenever they have surfaced? The authors of these chapters respond to these and other questions in an effort to illustrate the constellation of psychological, health, legal, criminal, societal, and spiritual ramifications of ritual abuse.

Amazon’s Look Inside allows readers to preview the first three chapters:

Chapter 1: Rituals: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Noblitt

Chapter 2: Redefining the Language of Ritual Abuse and the Politics that Dictate It
Noblitt & Perskin-Noblitt

Chapter 3: Exploring Commonalities Reported by Adult Survivors of Extreme Abuse: Preliminary Empirical Findings
Rutz, Becker, Overkamp, & Karriker
http://www.amazon.com/RITUAL-ABUSE-TWENTY-FIRST-CENTURY-Psychological-ebook/dp/B01134QYLK/

Ritual Abuse in the Twenty-First Century: Psychological, Forensic, Social and Political Considerations

Allegations of ritual abuse are universal and mental health professionals, theologians, law enforcers, scholars, victim advocates, and others struggle to comprehend the enormity of the devastation left in the wake of these heinous acts.

Ritual Abuse in the Twenty-first Century addresses the concerns that naturally evolve from any discussion of this phenomenon from the perspectives of professionals, advocates, and survivors from around the world….

The authors of these chapters respond to these and other questions in an effort to illustrate the constellation of psychological, health, legal, criminal, societal, and spiritual ramifications of ritual abuse.

Chapters address current issues including ritually based crime, civil suits involving allegations of ritual abuse, that are universal.

The value of understanding ritual trauma for diagnostic and treatment applications is discussed.
http://rdrpublishers.com/products/ritual-abuse-in-the-twenty-first-century-psychological-forensic-social-and-political-considerations

Curfew imposed in northern Liberia after ritual killings spark protests
Source: Reuters – Thu, 1 Oct 2015

MONROVIA, Sept 30 (Reuters) – Authorities imposed a curfew in a town in northern Liberia after violent protests following a wave of suspected ritual killings, authorities said on Wednesday.

Residents of Ganta on the border with Guinea said protests began after the killing of a motorcyclist on Wednesday. That came just a day after the discovery of the body of a 13-year-old girl who had disappeared weeks earlier….

The girl’s death was the most recent in what is believed to be a years-long string of ritualistic killings in the area that have been blamed by local residents on politicians and businessmen seeking political power.

Though relatively rare, cases of ritual murders have been recorded in several African countries, with body parts sometimes used in ceremonies believed to confer supernatural powers. Children are particularly sought out as targets.

Residents said violence erupted after two people who were arrested for the girl’s murder said a local businessman had hired them to perform it….
http://www.trust.org/item/20150930215054-ekn5g/

Source: Ritual abuse in the twenty-first century

Another article:

Boy, 17, get life sentence
Published:
By: Franklin Doloquee, Nimba, Edited by Jonathan Browne
The New Dawn

17-year-old Jacob Vanboe, convicted of murder (left) and the corpse of the late Cephus Yeanwon (right)

Jacob Vanboe was sentenced for the murder of Cephes Yeanwon

The Eight Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie, Nimba County has sentenced a 17-year-old boy to life imprisonment for killing his 16-year-old friend, Cephus Yeanwon.

Convict Jacob Vanboe, a resident of Ganta City, in Nimba was sentenced after he cajoled his 16-year-old friend Cephus Yeanwon, a motorcyclist, to go for a ride with him along the Ganta-Saclepea Highway in Nimba County in order to get some palm wine, a locally produced beverage to drink when he murdered the victim and extracted parts from his body.

The convict on September 22, 2015, conspired and murdered Cephus Yeanwon. Both Jacob Vanboe and the late Cephus Yeanwon were resident of the Royal Community in Ganta prior to his murder. The deceased corpse was discovered four days later between Blohn and Wallah towns along the Ganta-Saclepea Highway.

Reading the final verdict at the Eight Judicial Circuit Court, Resident Judge Emery Paye said, the decision was in keeping with an unanimous guilty verdict brought down by the grand jury besides evidence adduced by prosecutors during the trial.

However, the life sentence for a 17-year-old boy has sparked debate in Ganta with some residents arguing that Jacob Vanboe could not had been braved enough to act alone, and that there may be some conspirators hiding somewhere, who should equally be brought to justice.

Residents are calling on the Liberia National Police and other state security to investigate further and bring all those connected with the crime to book. Following the verdict, the 17-year-old convict wept and pleaded for mercy as he was being taken to prison.

Source: Boy, 17, gets life sentence

Ganta is the capital of Nimba County, Liberia

Gabon senator arrested in ritual killing case (2013)

Posted on by

The article reproduced below reminded me of previous reports on ritualistic murders in Gabon. It is a saddening reality that this Equatorial African country has a very bad reputation in this respect. I have been monitoring reports on ritual murders in African countries since the end of the 1990s and Gabon ranks high on the list of counties with ritual killings. (webmaster FVDK)

Gabon senator arrested in ritual killing case

Published: June 8, 2013 / 2:01 PM
By: Reuters Staff
Reporting by Jean-Rovys Dabany; Writing by Daniel Flynn; Editing by Louise Ireland
Andrew Lawson

A sorcerer performs a dance in front of a sacred fire in Bitouga, some 600 km from the Gabon capital Libreville, in this September 2007 photo. REUTERS/Antoine

LIBREVILLE (Reuters) – A member of Gabon’s senate has been arrested in an investigation into the ritual killing of a 12-year-old girl in the central African nation four years ago, the first time a senior politician has been detained in such a case.

Rising public anger at a spate of ritual killings in Gabon, an oil-rich former French colony on the Gulf of Guinea, sparked a march by thousands of people in the capital Libreville last month after mutilated bodies washed up on beaches.

President Ali Bongo promised the protesters that anyone convicted of such killings would be jailed for life.

Senator Gabriel Eyeghe Ekomie, who was stripped of his parliamentary immunity in December, was arrested on Friday after failing to appear before a court on May 31, his lawyer said.

Eyeghe Ekomie was summoned for questioning by the court after a man convicted of the girl’s killing said at his trial in May 2012 that he did it on the senator’s orders. Eyeghe Ekomie has denied the accusation.

“This is an unjust decision because my client was not correctly summoned,” said lawyer Gisele Eyue Bekale. “We asked the judge to re-issue the summons but he did not. We will continue to appeal this decision.”

Human and animal body parts are prized by some in the region, who believe they confer magical powers. Gabon’s Association for the Prevention of Ritual Crimes estimates that at least 20 people have been killed so far this year and their lips, tongues, genitals and other organs removed. (Bold and Italics mine – FVDK, webmaster).

Earlier this week, a sack containing human genitalia was found in a building in Libreville. An investigation is underway.

Gabon is not the only African country with a black market trade in human organs.

Grave robbers dug up more than 100 bodies in Benin’s capital Cotonou in November. Cameroonian authorities in September arrested five people for trafficking when they were stopped at a checkpoint with a severed human head.

Source: Gabon senator arrested in ritual killing case