Category Archives: human sacrifice

Lagos State Governor Sanwo-Olu, others seek continental battle against ritual killings

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See my recent posts dated October 24, Lagos Calls for United African Action Against Ritual Killings, and October 26, Liberia’s Bishop Kortu Brown calls for Africa-wide campaign to end ritualistic killings at colloquium in Nigeria, on the same topic.
(webmaster FVDK)

Sanwo-Olu, others seek continental battle against human trafficking, ritual killings

Published: October 28, 2025
By: Adebisi Onanuga – The Nation Online, Nigeria

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State yesterday urged African leaders to form a united continental front against human trafficking and ritual killings.

He described human trafficking and ritual killings as “heinous crimes that strip victims of their dignity and humanity.”

The governor spoke through the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, at the First Annual Africa Colloquium Against Human Trafficking.

The colloquium was convened by the state’s Ministry of Justice and held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the fight against ritual abuse and human trafficking must transcend borders, institutions, and communities if Africa must reclaim its moral integrity.

“Human trafficking is not an abstract problem — it is real and close to home.

“It affects millions across Africa, especially women and children, through forced labour, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and ritual abuse. Behind every statistic is a name, a face, and a story of pain that we must never ignore.”

The governor described the colloquium, themed ‘A United Front Against Ritual Abuse and Sacrifice’, as a “continental rallying point for Africa’s moral awakening,” stressing that collaboration among governments, NGOs, law enforcement, and communities is key to dismantling trafficking networks.

According to him, “The words ‘A United Front’ remind us that this evil knows no boundaries. It can only be defeated through shared action, intelligence, and compassion.

He  condemned the myths and superstitions fuelling ritual killings, describing them as “barbaric relics that have no place in a modern, progressive Africa.”

“Governments must work with civil society, religious and traditional leaders, and even the private sector to expose traffickers and protect victims”, he said

Sanwo-Olu emphasized that public enlightenment remains crucial in breaking the chain of silence that sustains human trafficking and ritual practices.

“We must educate our communities about the signs of trafficking and empower them to report suspicious activities.

 “We must also strengthen our laws to ensure offenders are swiftly prosecuted while victims receive proper care and rehabilitation.”

The Governor noted that the Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking, in partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and international organisations, has intensified prosecution, public education, and survivor rehabilitation.

“But the government alone cannot win this fight. It demands a coalition of justice ministries, law enforcement, community leaders, and faith-based organisations.”

“We must defeat these dangerous myths that equate human life with power, success, or protection.

“Our progress must be built on knowledge, empathy, and faith in lawful advancement — not blood”, he said.

“Let this colloquium mark the day we moved from words to work.

“Together, as one united front, we will protect our people, punish the perpetrators, and restore dignity to those harmed”, he said.

“This is our moment to declare that our people are not for sale, our children are not sacrifices, and our future will never be built on fear or blood,” he said.

The Governor affirmed Lagos State’s commitment to lead Africa’s regional campaign against human trafficking and ritual abuse.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in his address at the colloquium  reaffirmed federal government’s commitment to intensifying the fight against human trafficking, ritual exploitation, and migrant smuggling across Africa describing them as “crimes that diminish humanity and betray the principles of human rights.”

The AGF who was represented by Team Lead for Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (TIPSOM) at the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Ezinne Nwokoro, said the government is determined to dismantle trafficking networks through coordinated legal, diplomatic, and community-based responses.

Mrs Nwokoro said the Attorney-General of the Federation has prioritized anti-trafficking reform through a combination of legislative review, enhanced partnership with NAPTIP, and expanded international cooperation frameworks.

“These reforms are building systems that not only punish offenders but prevent trafficking before it begins,” she said.

“We are creating a future where justice is accessible, survivors are supported, and the vulnerable are no longer prey.”

She declared the federal government’s full support for the outcomes of the colloquium and urged all participants to move from dialogue to action.

“This is not just another event,” she said, adding ,“it is a call to conscience — a gathering of people working, in different ways, to confront the painful reality of human trafficking, ritual abuse, and human sacrifice in Africa.”

According to her, ritual-linked trafficking represents an even darker evolution of the crime. “Traffickers no longer just exploit poverty and desperation — they exploit belief systems and cultural fears.

“Victims are often made to take oaths or undergo rituals designed to enslave them psychologically, making escape almost impossible. We’ve seen this pattern in cases within Nigeria and from other African countries”, she said.

Mrs. Nwokoro noted that this emerging dimension makes collaboration indispensable, adding, “if traffickers can collaborate across borders, so must we.

“We need more than laws; we need communities that are vigilant, justice systems that protect, and survivor voices that lead.

“Let this not just be a conference,” she said, “but a call to action — one guided by the stories of survivors and the responsibility we all share to protect them.

“The fight against human trafficking is not one government’s struggle; it is humanity’s shared duty. Together, we can build an Africa where no one is for sale, no one is sacrificed, and every life is valued,”, he said.

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, (SAN), urged African nations to unite in action against the growing scourge of ritual killings and human trafficking, describing the crimes as “commercialised evil” that thrive on poverty, desperation, and silence.”

Pedro said the event was “not just another conference but a continental call to conscience aimed at reclaiming the sanctity of human life in Africa.

“Ritual abuse and human sacrifices are not myths. They are real, expanding, and destroying lives across our communities,” the Attorney-General declared.

Pedro cited disturbing cases across Nigeria that reveal the deepening connection between human trafficking and ritual crimes.

He recalled recent incidents including the abduction and murder of two seven-year-old cousins, Chizaram and Chidinma Onuche, in Port Harcourt; the killing of a college student in Ilorin for ritual purposes; and the arrest of two pastors in Rivers State found with coffins and skulls.

“These are not isolated tragedies,” he said.

According to him, “the National Bureau of Statistics recorded over 150 ritual killings in six months, many involving youths deceived by the false promise of quick wealth.”(italics added by the webmaster FVDK).

He lamented that human trafficking has evolved into a global, organised, and highly profitable enterprise.

 He described human trafficking as a high-profit, low-risk crime linked to organised criminal networks.

He said globally, profits from human trafficking are estimated at 236 billion dollars annually,” he said.

Pedro, who also chairs the Lagos State Task Force Against Human Trafficking, outlined the state’s multi-pronged response to the menace.

He said: “between 2022 and 2024, over 4,700 victims were rescued and supported, while five million residents were reached through community awareness campaigns.”

He  highlighted the enactment of the Lagos State Organ Harvesting Prohibition Law 2024, which criminalises organ trafficking and imposes severe penalties on offenders, including medical professionals involved in illegal human organ trade.

Pedro stressed that no single nation can win the battle alone, urging African countries to collaborate across borders in prevention, prosecution, and victim protection.

 “This evil will continue to thrive where nations fail to collaborate,” he said. “Africa must rise — not in rhetoric but in responsibility.”

He commended Pepperdine University and the Sudreau Global Justice Institute for partnering with Lagos since 2022 on justice reforms, adding that their collaboration had grown into a continental mission against human trafficking and ritual crimes.

“Let history say that from Lagos in 2025, Africa took a stand and never turned back,” he said. “Let us refuse to accept the killing of our children as normal, reject the exploitation of women, and silence that empowers crime. When Africa chooses unity over isolation, we can protect the vulnerable and safeguard human dignity.”

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, in his address, described human trafficking and ritual abuse as a global pandemic deeply rooted in the history of slavery.

He called for stronger community vigilance, legal enforcement, and international collaboration to eradicate the menace.

Justice Alogba urged local communities to take the lead in identifying and reporting suspicious activities. “If the community does not perceive human trafficking and ritual abuse as wrong, perpetrators will continue to go unpunished. Every citizen must be their neighbour’s keeper,” he added.

Justice Alogba lamented that centuries after the abolition of slavery, its modern offshoots — human trafficking, ritual killings, and organ trade — still thrive under different guises for economic purposes.

 “Ritual abuse and sacrifice are grim offshoots of slavery, initially driven by economic motives,” he stated.

The Chief Judge stressed that the problem cannot be effectively addressed without tackling the social and cultural beliefs that continue to justify the exploitation of human beings.

“Our cultural ethos must be properly investigated. The use of human beings for rituals or any form of abuse, no matter how it is rationalized, is evil. The fight must start from our communities,” he said.

Justice Alogba  emphasized the need for proper training and motivation for law enforcement and investigative officers, describing them as the “foot soldiers” in the anti-trafficking campaign. According to him, traffickers are now well-organized and heavily funded, requiring equal sophistication in combating their operations.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Lagos State Government, Justice Alogba commended the legislature for enacting stiff penalties against offenders and pledged that the judiciary would enforce the law with strictness.

 “The Lagos judiciary will ensure that anyone found guilty of trafficking or ritual abuse faces stringent punishment in accordance with the law,” he assured.

The Chief Judge called for broader collaboration beyond Africa, noting that trafficking networks have become intercontinental. He concluded by stressing that sustained public sensitization and awareness are critical to winning the battle.

“Government, communities, and individuals must unite against this social pandemic. Sensitization and education remain our strongest tools,” he said.

The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs. Binta  Bello warned that the growing nexus between ritual abuse, human sacrifice, and human trafficking poses a grave threat to Africa’s moral fabric and security.

The NAPTIP DG who was represented by the Director of Intelligence, Mr. Josiah Emerole, described ritual-linked trafficking as one of the “darkest and most complex forms of human exploitation” that has for too long escaped direct confrontation.”

“The intersection between ritual abuse and human trafficking is not theoretical — it is a lived reality for countless victims,” she said. “In Nigeria and across West Africa, young people are being trapped in cycles of exploitation by fear, superstition, and coercion disguised as culture.”

Bello explained that from the early years of NAPTIP’s operations, investigators confronted the use of juju oaths, fetish rituals, and sacrifices to silence victims trafficked abroad for sexual exploitation. “Victims were forced to take deadly oaths before native priests, binding them into fear and obedience,” she said. “These rituals were more powerful than chains; they enslaved the mind.”

Although NAPTIP has since achieved major progress — including the 2017 intervention of the Benin Monarch to abolish ritual oaths — Bello lamented that ritual abuse has not disappeared.

“It has simply evolved, travelling across borders and taking new forms in destination countries,” she said.

She cited a 2008 incident in which a voodoo priest arrested by NAPTIP died mysteriously in custody after warning officers not to cross certain rivers — a case that led to the arrest of NAPTIP officers by police investigators.

“Such incidents complicate prosecutions, stall investigations, and sometimes erode public confidence,” she explained. “These crimes are not just spiritual or cultural; they are legal and human rights issues that demand coordinated action.”

Bello also revealed that investigating ritual-linked trafficking remains one of the most challenging aspects of law enforcement.

The NAPTIP boss cited data from the National Bureau of Statistics showing that over 150 ritual killings were recorded in the first half of 2025 alone, with women and youths as major victims. The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), she noted, also documented over 168 ritual-related deaths in 2022 and nearly 100 in 2024.(italics added by the webmaster FVDK)

“These are not random acts of violence,” she stressed. “They are symptoms of a deeper disease — poverty, inequality, erosion of values, and belief in the efficacy of human sacrifice as a path to success. Weak law enforcement and judicial bottlenecks have further emboldened perpetrators.”

According to her, the Lagos colloquium marks a historic moment for Africa’s anti-trafficking movement.

Bello said the gathering aligns with Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Human Trafficking (2022–2026), which rests on five pillars: Policy, Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnerships.

Bello pledged NAPTIP’s full commitment to implementing the outcomes of the colloquium in collaboration with domestic and international partners.

“By putting ritual abuse at the centre of this global discussion, we are redefining the future of counter-trafficking work,” she affirmed.

 “The lives of our children and women are too precious to be sacrificed at the altar of greed or superstition. The dignity of our people is sacred — and the cost of inaction is far too high.”

Director of the Sudreau Global Justice Institute, Pepperdine University, USA, Prof. Cameron Collum, also called for a united African response to end ritual abuse and human sacrifice, describing the practices as “pure evil” that must be confronted through collective action, policy reform, and justice system strengthening across the continent.

Prof. Collum praised Nigeria’s renowned hospitality and the choice of Lagos as the host city, saying the state represents “the heartbeat of Africa” and a continental leader capable of influencing change.

He explained that Pepperdine University, based in Los Angeles, California, operates on five continents and is committed to using academic resources to make tangible social impact.

“We don’t want to be a university lost in academic theories; we want to work alongside leaders to achieve real results,” he said.

According to him, Pepperdine’s partnership with Africa began over 20 years ago in Uganda, when the university helped establish a fast-track juvenile justice system that expedited trials for detained minors. The initiative, he said, led to the creation of a broader plea-bargaining system that improved access to justice and reduced prolonged pre-trial detentions.

“Uganda’s success story inspired other countries to replicate similar reforms, and today, we are working with nearly 20 African nations on justice initiatives — including anti-human trafficking and rule of law projects,” Collum noted.

He stressed that while human trafficking is widely acknowledged and addressed globally, ritual abuse and human sacrifice remain largely unspoken issues. “Everywhere I go, leaders acknowledge ritual killings as a real problem, yet few programs tackle it. This conference aims to change that by starting a Pan-African conversation to end these atrocities,” he declared.

Collum said the two-day colloquium was designed to be action-oriented rather than academic, bringing together about 200 delegates from 15 African countries, including policymakers, judges, prosecutors, NGOs, and community leaders.

“With collaboration, courage, and leadership from places like Nigeria, I believe we can end the evil of ritual sacrifice once and for all,” he concluded.

Source: Sanwo-Olu, others seek continental battle against human trafficking, ritual killings

Nigeria – The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, accuses Ekiti and Kwara monarchs of engaging in ritual killings [video]

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This is not the first time that the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, accuses traditional rulers of engaging in ritual killings. See my posts of January 30 2020, Nigeria: ‘Amotekun should fight ritual killings and traditional corruption’, says the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi and of November 2, 2020, The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, speaking out against ritual killings: The Oluwo of Iwo (Osun State, Nigeria): ‘Ritual killing deadlier and more devastating than SARS’.

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has a solid reputation as to speaking out agains ritual killings, human sacrifice, other human rights violations and superstition. Nigerians, other Africans and all who believe in the protection of human rights should say a big ‘Thank you’ to him.

The fact that a person of the level and reputation of the Oluwo of Iwo, the traditional ruler of Iwo, a prominent city located in Osun State, raises his voice against these outdated and cruel practices is another sign of the widespread occurrence of killings for ritualistic purposes in Nigeria, Africa’s most populated country, and an implicit accusation directed to the country’s political leaders and authorities for failing to take adequate action to eradicate these gruesome practices which sometimes are based on outdated traditions.

Sadly, if political, traditional and spiritual leaders set a bad example in this respect, what can we expect from the ‘common people’? (….)
(FVDK)

‘This will be your last’ – Oluwo calls out Ekiti, Kwara kings, politicians, others over ritual killings [VIDEO]

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi

Published: January 10, 2025
By: Rachael Ayodele – Daily Post, Nigeria

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has accused Ekiti and Kwara monarchs of engaging in ritual killings.

Oluwo spoke in a now trending video on social media.

In the video cited by DAILY POST on Friday, Oba Akanbi condemned the rising tide of
bloodshed under the guise of tradition, spiritual renewal and power preservation.

The outspoken monarch called out his Ekiti and Kwara counterparts, as well as royal chiefs, pastors, traditional worshipers and politicians, for perpetrating the gruesome acts.

While calling for justice against them, he said, “All the traditional rulers from Ekiti State to Kwara State must stop using human beings for any forms of rituals or sacrifice.

“Stop killing our children. Stop using human heads. Those you are killing are my children because I’m a father to Yoruba land. We know some of the kings that are sacrificing humans monthly to elongate their lives and reigns.

“If you think we don’t know, the all-knowing God knows, and he is telling us. I’m warning kings, royal chiefs, native doctors, pastors, Alfas, including Ifa priests, politicians and others to stop killing our children.

“This will be your last. After this warning, you will not be fortunate if you dare use anyone again.”

Video:

Oluwo of Iwo @emperortelu1 sends warning to ritualists in South West
Screenshot – to watch the video (Instagram), please click here to access the original article

Source: ‘This will be your last’ – Oluwo calls out Ekiti, Kwara kings, politicians, others over ritual killings [VIDEO]

Ghana: illegal miners sacrifice newly-born babies for rituals to get gold

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Warning: The following post contains graphic contents which may upset readers (webmaster FVDK)

‘Galamsey’ refers to illegal small-scale gold mining in Ghana, also known as illegal artisanal small-scale mining (ASM). The miners are called galamseyers. Working conditions are hard. Miners do not use sophisticated equipment, much of the work in open pits and tunnels is done by hand. It is being estimated that there are 20,000 – 50,000 galamseyers (much is unknown about them). Galamsey is widespread in Ghana with a concentration in the Western Region. Reportedly, there are 11 galamsey hotspot districts.

The following is an astonishing story about galamseyers using babies for ritual purposes in search for gold. In an interview one galamseyer claimed that illegal miners buy babies from hospital employees for ritualistic purposes at Galamsey sites. The readers are warned that the following contains graphic details of horrific acts.
(FVDK)

Illegal miners use babies for ritual purposes in search of gold
‘Angel Morning Show’, September 29, 2024.

Ghana: illegal miners sacrifice newly-born babies for rituals to get gold

Published: September 29, 2024
By: Ghana Web

A retired galamseyer has revealed how illegal miners sacrifice newly born human babies in mining pits as ritual to enable them locate gold and other mineral resources in the soil.

Read the article originally published by Ghanaweb on Agst 12, 2023 below:

Screenshot. To watch the 45-mintes video including the interview with a galamseyer, please click here

Source: Inside details of how illegal miners sacrifice newly-born babies for rituals to get gold

Uganda: The grim badge of human sacrifice – Details of the Annual Crime Report 2023

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In February of the current year the Ugandan police launched the Annual Crime Report for 2023.

I was triggered and started searching the internet for the Crime Report after reading a recent article in the Monitor, an Ugandan online newspaper, entitled: The grim badge of human sacrifice. Unfortunately, the access to the article is restricted to subscribers (click here).

Readers interested in the article’s full contents may register and thus obtain access. The article’s beginning is quite revealing and stimulated my interest:

“The discovery of huge number of human skulls in shrines across the country shows how widespread the use of body parts is in ritualistic practices.

The police 2023 crime report show that ritual killings nearly doubled from 46 cases in 2021 to 84 cases in 2023, and increased at around 17 per cent …”

Published: February 21, 2024
By: Mpalangi Ssentongo, Depuy Photo Editor – New Vision, Uganda

The article contains a large number of photos but unfortunately hardly any relevant information.

Source: PICTURES: Police launches 2023 annual crime report

I was triggered by the scarce information on crimes for ritualistic purposes in the above cited articles and started searching on the internet.

Luckily, my search was rewarded!

On the website of the Ugandan Police Force I traced an article, published February 23, 2024 Annual Crime Report 2023 containing the full contents of the report.

The Inspector general of the Uganda Police Force, J.M. Okoth-Ochola (Esq), stated in his introductory remarks:

“It is my pleasure to present the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report for 2023 so as to account to the population on how the Uganda Police Force is fulfilling its mandate as stipulated under Article 212 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.

In 2023, we note that there was a 1.5% decrease in the number of crimes reported to Police from 231,653 cases reported in 2022 to 228,074 cases. I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to those who were able to lodge their complaints at various stations of the Uganda Police Force in the year 2023. It is these reported complaints that enable us compile Annual Crime Reports.

Relatedly, the force has focused on strengthening discipline and adherence to human rights by introducing disciplinary courts in all districts across the country. The introduction of disciplinary courts marks a significant milestone for the Uganda Police Force. These courts aim at enforcing discipline within the force, ensuring that officers adhere to professional standards and human rights. For instance, out of 933 complaints of human rights violations by the police, 794 were thoroughly investigated.”

It is a very interesting report. I will focus here on the crimes with ritualistic motives. Readers interested in other issues are advised to consult the report.

The population of Uganda by mid-2023 was estimated at 45,562,000 people. The reported number of homicides between 2019 and 2023 varied between 4,718 cases in 2019, 3,912 in 2021 and 4,248 in 2023 (Table 6, p.33).

Table 16 on p.47 gives us more details:

Here I single out two crime categories: murder by mob action (number 2) and ritual murders (number 10).

Paragraph 1.3.4.2 provides more details with respect to murders by mob action (Table 19, p.49). Unfortunately, no details are provided with respect to ritualistic crimes. On p.117 mention is made of ‘Disturbing the peace of the dead’ which may refer to a kind of criminal activities related to witchcraft and ritualistic practices but the report does not provide further details. Appendix I: Crimes by crime analysis, however, gives us some insight in ritualistic murders and the number of persons taken to court (p.130).

So we notice that in 1.8% of the reported cases of mob action witchcraft triggered the action: 18 out of 1,039 cases. Interestingly, more men than women were killed in such ‘jungle justice’ actions: 11 respectively 5. However, it cannot be ruled out that the category ‘Any other’ (Number 6) which represents more than 20% of all reported cases – and took the lives of 228 persons – also includes actions triggered by accusations of witchcraft.

We have seen above (Table 16) that the number of reported murders for ritualistic purposes in the 2021 – 2023 period were 46 (2021), 72 (2022) and 84 (in 2023) which means it nearly doubled between 2021 and 2023.

Appendix I shows that only 11 cases out of the 84 reported cases in 2023 led to the trial of the suspected ritual killers. In all, 18 accused stood trial: 14 men and 4 women. All trials were pending in court at the time of publication of the 2023 crime report.

The Ugandan authorities are to be commended for publishing such a detailed report providing insight in the motives and background of crimes committed in the country. As fas as ritualistic murders are concerned more research and analysis is needed to get a full picture of these outdated and horrific crimes which have no place in a modern society.

Uganda: The grim badge of human sacrifice

Monitor, Uganda – Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Ghana, Volta Region: seven arrested for abducting and killing a 12-year boy (2021 article)

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The following is not the first reported ritual murder case in Ghana’s eastern Volta Region. On previous occasions I posted other murder cases. Interestingly, also in these cases a fetish priest played a key role. See my posts dated February 13 of this year, May 15, 2020 and August 12, 2019.

The Kpetoe District Police is to be commended for their swift action leading to the arrest of seven suspects. Five of the seven suspects have admitted their roles in the killing of the boy. Read the details below.

Warning: The articles’ graphic contents my upset some readers (FVDK).

Seven arrested for abducting and killing 12-year boy at Nornyikpo, Volta Region

Published: June 25, 2021
By: Emmanuel Kwame Amoh, 3News, Ghana

The Kpetoe District Police have arrested seven persons in connection with the recent abduction and subsequent killing of a 12-year-old boy, Cornelius Negble at Nornyikpo, a farming community in Agotime-Ziope District of the Volta Region.

The suspects are; Hunor Kofi Koko alias Ando Kofi, 30, Anani Koko, 23, Senanu Ashitor Atsikpo, 28, Kwamevi Kagbetor 37, Louis Etse, 25, Kudzo Akpatsu, 49 and Fianyo Sandema, 39.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Mr Edward Oduro Kwateng, Volta Regional Commander, in a briefing to the media, said on May 22, 2021 at about 0700 hours, one Mary Amewornu reported to the Police at Kpetoe that her grandson had gone missing.

He said about 1830 hours same day, the Assembly member for Atsrulume Electoral Area with help of five others arrested suspect Senanu Ashitor Atsikpo upon suspicion that he was the architect of the disappearance of the deceased and handed him over to the Police.

The Commander said the Police re-arrested the suspect and detained him to assist in investigations.

DCOP Kwateng said on May 26, 2021, Police gathered information to the effect that Atsikpo acted in concert with two other accomplices to abduct and kill the deceased for ritual purposes at a shrine at Nudowukorpe, near Tadzewu.

He said Police quickly went to shrine but could not find the suspects, however, on May 31, Police returned to the shrine and arrested them.

The Commander said the body of the boy which was put in a sack and buried in one of the rooms was exhumed with maggots all over it.

DCOP Kwateng said one Sanya motorbike with registration number M-19-VR-1348 used to convey the body, one pair of black slippers belonging to the deceased were retrieved from the murder scene, whiles a single slipper, a set of dresses and one duster were also retrieved from the shrine.

He said the Environmental Health Officers conducted inspection on the body and it was revealed that the intestines, kidney heart and penis of the deceased have been removed.

Mr Kwateng said the body was sent to Police Hospital in Accra for preservation and autopsy.

DCOP Kwateng said Police proceeded to arrest suspect Kudzo Akpatsu, father of suspect Morris Etse who is currently at large, Kwami Kagbetor, Louis Etse, who were implicated in the conspiracy from the hideouts.

He said further investigation revealed that suspect Atsikpo, a native of Ative, deals in human parts and promised to get a fetish priest, Hunor Kofi Koko, human parts to perform sacrifices to build a new deity to be named Agbavor.

The Commander said Hunor Koko then instructed Anani and Morris to meet Atsikpo at Nornyikpo for the sacrifices, and Atsikpo directed them via phone call to meet him at a location to undertake their plans.

Mr Kwateng said during the meeting of the trio, Atsikpo called the boy to accompany him to a forest, and he obliged, and at the forest the trio killed him, put his body in a sack and conveyed it on a motor bike to the shrine for the rituals.

DCOP Kwateng said at a meeting a witness eavesdropped on their conversation, but did not know who the target was until the disappearance of the boy was noticed.

He disclosed that when Hunor and his accomplices knew that police were after them, they escaped to Aflao and eventually crossed the border to Togo.

The Commander said on June 18, 2021, the Police secured warrant of arrest and extradition order from a court to enable them to arrest the suspects in the Republic of Togo.

He said on June 19, this year, Interpol Togo arrested Hunor Koko and his brother Anani Koko at Voga in Togo and extradited them to Ghana to assist in investigations.

DCOP Kwateng said five out of the seven suspects, admitted their roles in killing of the boy, and have been remanded into police custody by Kpetoe District Magistrate Court to reappear on July 5, 2021.

Source: GNA

Source: Seven arrested for abducting and killing 12-year boy at Nornyikpo

Ghana’s Volta Region bordering the republic of Togo

More:

Chilling details of how suspects killed 12-year-old boy in Nornyikpo for rituals

Published: June 24, 2024
By: Fred Quame Asare – MyJoyOnline, Ghana

Screenshot – to listen to the article click here

Seven persons have been arrested in connection with the disappearance and murder of 12-year-old Cornelius Negble at Nornyikpo in the Agotime-Ziope District of the Volta Region. 

The suspects included Hunor Kofi Koko, 30, a spiritualist, 30, Kwamevi Kagbeto, 37, Anani Koko, 23, Senanu Ashitor Atsikpo, 28, Louis Etse, 25 and Fianyo Sandema 39 and Kudzo Akpatsu, 49 and father of suspect Morris, who is at large. 

According to the Police, five of the suspects admitted to playing various roles in the abduction and killing of the deceased for ritual purposes and narrated how the murder was orchestrated and executed. 

The Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Edward Oduro Kwateng, said one of the suspects, Mr Ashitor Atsikpo who deals in human parts, told them he was aided by two assigns of Mr Hunor Kofi, Mr Anani Koko, and Mr Morris to kill the boy.

This was after they succeeded in luring him into a nearby forest.

The corpse was delivered to the shrine of Mr Hunor Kofi in Nudowukorpe in fulfilment of a promise by Mr Ashitor Atsikpo to make available human parts to use in performing sacrifices in building a new deity. 

DCOP Edward Oduro Kwateng detailed that preliminary investigations revealed Mr Senanu’s involvement in the murder of the little boy for ritual purposes. 

He explained a second visit to Mr Hunor Kofi’s shrine led to the exhumation of the 12-year-old boy’s head while his maggot-infested headless body was kept in a sack. His kidney, heart and penis were removed. 

He added that “one Sanya motorbike with registration number M-19-VR-1348 used in conveying the body of Cornelius Negble, one pair of slippers belonging to the deceased was recovered from where the killing took place.”

“A single slipper recovered from the shrine at Nuduwukorpe belonging to Senanu Ashitor Atsikpo, a set of dresses belonging to Hunor Kofi Koko, but recovered from Senuanu Ashitor Atsikpo. It is worthy to note here that because Senanu had his clothes drenched in blood, he requested Hunor Kofi Koku to issue him a new set of dresses. This was done to avoid any suspicion. One duster belonging to Anani Koko was also retrieved from the shrine. All items retrieved are retained for evidential purpose”, he explained. 

“The body has since been removed and sent to the Police Hospital in Accra for preservation and autopsy”, he said. 

He explained it took a collaborative effort with their counterparts in Togo to arrest Hunor Kofi, who fled to the neighbouring country upon sensing danger.

All seven suspects have been remanded into Police Custody by Samuel Essel Walker after they were arraigned before the Kpetoe District Magistrate Court and would reappear on July 5, 2021. 

He, therefore, urged the public to timely inform the police on suspected criminal acts to avert the unfortunate from happening.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Source: Chilling details of how suspects killed 12-year-old boy in Nornyikpo for rituals

And:

Ho: Fetish priest, six others arrested for murder of 12-year-old boy

Published: June 25, 2021
By: Feisel Abdul-Iddrisu – Starrfm, Ghana

Police in the Volta region have arrested seven persons in connection with the abduction and subsequent murder of a 12-year old boy, Cornelius Negble at Nornyikpo, a village near Ziope in the Agotime-Ziope district of the Volta region.

The suspects, Senanu Ashitor Attipoe, 28, Hunor Kofi alias Ando Kofi, aged 30, Anani Koko, 23, Kwamevi Kagbetor, aged 37, Louis Etsey, 25, Kudzo Akpatsu, 49 and Sandema Fianyor, 49 who were arrested at separate hideouts and on different days have been remanded into police custody by the Kpetoe District Magistrate Court to re-appear on Monday, 5 July, 2021 while investigations continue.

Background to the case

According to the Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Edward Oduro Kwanteg, on May 22, 2021, one Mary Amewonu reported to the Kpetoe police that her grandson Cornelius Negble (now deceased) had gone missing at Nornyikpo. As a result, the Kpetoe police immediately commenced investigations into the incident.

On the same day, Senanu Ashitor Attipoe, was arrested by some village folks upon suspicion that he was the architect in the disappearance of the 12-year old boy. The suspect was then handed over to the police to assist investigations.

Upon interrogation, the police gathered information that the suspect, Senanu Ashitor Attipoe had abducted the young boy and subsequently killed him with the help of two others -Anani Koko and one Morris (now at large) for ritual purposes at a shrine at Nudowukorpe in the Akatsi North District.

On May 26, 2021 a police team was dispatched to the shrine but met none of the other suspects.

Subsequently, on Monday, 31 May 2021 the police and a team of Environmental Health Officials arrived at the shrine again to effect the arrest of the abductors only to find the severed head of the victim buried in one of the rooms while the remaining maggots infested body was kept in a sack.

Upon examination, it emerged that body parts of the deceased including his manhood, kidney, intestines and heart were removed. The body was then deposited at the police hospital in Accra for preservation and autopsy.

Arrest of other suspects

Later same day, suspects Kudzo Akpatsu, Kwamevi Kagbetor and Louis Etsey who were implicated in the conspiracy were arrested from their hideouts.

Unfortunately, when the fetish priest, Hunor Kofi Koko and his assigns learnt of police pursuit, they escaped to Aflao and eventually crossed the border into the Republic of Togo.

But on Saturday, 19 June 2021, Interpol in Togo succeeded in arresting the escapees which included the fetish priest and his brother Anani Koko at Voga in Togo after police in Ghana had secured a warrant of arrest and extraction order from the court.

Modus Operandi

Further investigations have revealed that the prime suspect, Senanu Ashitor Attipoe deals in human parts and promised same for Hunor Kofi Koko alias Ando Kofi to perform sacrifices in building a new deity.

As a result, the fetish priest instructed his assigns, Anani Koko and Morris to meet Senanu at Nornyikpo for the intended human sacrifice.

But Senanu’s attempts to direct his partners to the location through a phone conversation was eavesdropped by a witness (name withed) who at the time did not know who the target was until the disappearance of the 12-year old boy.

When the trio finally met, Senanu then called the unsuspecting young boy, Cornelius Negble to accompany him to a nearby forest. Upon getting to the forest, Senanu is said to have gripped the victim by the neck and forcibly pushed him to the ground and then called his accomplices who were already trailing them. The trio then killed the victim, put the body in a sack and conveyed same on a motorbike to Nudowukorpe for the rituals.

At a press briefing in Ho on Thursday, the Volta regional police command called on the public to volunteer with information towards the arrest of the last suspect only known as Morris, while urging the public to also support with any information that will aid investigations into the gruesome murder.

Source: Ho: Fetish priest, six others arrested for murder of 12-year-old boy

And read:

Seven arrested for abducting and killing 12-year boy at Nornyikpo

Published: June 25, 2021
By: GNA

Source: Seven arrested for abducting and killing 12-year boy at Nornyikpo

Nigeria: Money rituals explained – Money ritual seekers’ dark walk into deceit, misery

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The following article is highly recommended reading, excellent work by Victor Ayeni!

In Nigeria, nearly every day ‘money rituals’ are reported, maybe not surprising in view of the country’s large population of well over 200 million people – Africa’s largest – even though just one ritual murder is already one too much. However, on the other hand, it could well be that the cases known and reported are only the tip of an iceberg.

But what do we know about ‘money rituals’, as ritual murders are being called in this part of the African continent? Most articles reporting on these crimes, which are driven by greed – for power, prestige or wealth – and based on superstition, are superficial. It is hard to find an article which treats this phenomenon in depth and in a serious way. The Nigerian journalist Victor Ayeni has done a great job and he’s to be commended for this achievement.

The traditional history of ritualistic killings and human sacrifices point to protection of the community’s interest by sacrificing one of its members. Cruel as this might be in our eyes nowadays, in the 21st century, back then relatives of the victim may have been proud of their family member’s contribution to the community.
We see nowadays in many parts of the African continent that the ritualistic act which demands the death of the victim is for the (pretended, aimed) benefit of one person only who thus wants to increase his or her power, wealth or health. Moreover, the victim is often picked at random. Involuntary, the victim is attacked and tortured, what results is a gruesome, a wicked crime. Sometimes, specific groups are targeted, e.g. people with albinism, hunchbacks or bald people.

In some countries ambitious politicians tend to resort to these practices in the hope of increasing their political chances and success, resulting an increase in ritual murders during election campaigns. It’s a shocking reality – even though we don’t known the full scale of it.

‘Money rituals’ in Nigeria show another characteristic: some people consider it a business model, which enables them to ‘earn’ money from superstitious people who believe that by using another man’s organs or other body parts, ‘juju’ will be created, to their personal benefit.

Victor Ayeni explains well how this works in Nigeria. A very informative article which ends with the question ‘Are money rituals real or a fiction?’

The reader may answer this question for him- or herself after reading Ayeni’s valuable article.
(webmaster FVDK)

Money ritual seekers’ dark walk into deceit, misery

Published: March 18, 2023
By: Victor Ayeni, Punch – Nigeria

VICTOR AYENI explores the subject of money ritual in popular culture, religious houses, and Nollywood movies, why the purveyors of the belief succeed in deceiving youths, and its implications on the public

The apprehension in the air was so thick that one could cut through it with a knife as Olajide (surname withheld) narrated his journey through a maze of confusion.

The 27-year-old graduate was helping a friend manage a pig farm in Osogbo, Osun State, when another friend introduced him to Internet scam, which in Nigerian lingo is called Yahoo Yahoo.

But his experience shocked the wits out of him.

“I was being paid N10,000 per month at the farm, but the money couldn’t meet my needs as time went on, so a friend of mine bought me an iPhone and from there, I was introduced to Yahoo Yahoo.

“I started off on a neutral ground and I was getting little money from my clients (victims), but after like three months into it, things became so tough that I couldn’t fend for myself again. I explained my situation to a friend and he took me to an Alfa (cleric),” Olajide recalls, shaking his head in disbelief.

This Alfa was known in Yahoo boys’ circles to be adept in the art of money magic – an occult economy that involves the performance of rituals to supernaturally conjure money.

Abode of fear

When Olajide described his financial difficulties to the Alfa, he was given two options.

“Alfa said he would help me out with small osole. I asked what he meant by that and he explained that osole (spiritual assistance) is different from oso (human body parts).

“Alfa told me oso required the use of human parts for material wealth with repercussions such as untimely death or insanity, whereas osole required the use of plants and animals for the same purpose but with lesser repercussions like being poor. I opted for osole,” he added.

Olajide was instructed to pay a sum of N12,000 into the cleric’s bank account for the materials and return in four days.

Five days later, when Olajide put a call through to the Alfa, he was asked to return for the materials.

He said, “When I got there, he gave me a small black soap and told me to find small palm oil and go to a flowing river to bathe that I had to cleanse myself first before I would use the materials.

“He explained to me that the soap was made with pepper mixed with some herbs and directed me to rub the palm oil on my body first before bathing with the soap. He warned that if I didn’t use the palm oil first, I was going to disappear and I would not be seen again. So, I did as I was told.”

Olajide said he complied with all the instructions.

“When I went back to him, he gave me three different materials: a soap to bath with every morning by 4am, a potion which I must swallow daily after taking my bath, and a powdery mixture to be licked every night before I go to bed.

“He said the herbal concoction was made from animals like crow, chameleon, cat, pigeon, and some leaves. He also told me that I would experience more hardship during the first two or three months of using the ritual materials, but I should endure it because after that, the tide will turn and money will be flowing in from my clients,” he added.

The idea of recipients conjuring money through magic is a familiar theme in many Nigerian films and religious houses.

Whether through animal sacrifices or trafficking in human parts, it is erroneously believed that these rites bring stupendous wealth to those who practice them.

When our correspondent inquired from Olajide if the magic worked, and in what specific ways the money came to him, he was silent.

When he spoke, he recalled faithfully following all the instructions given to him, but for the next two months, as the cleric predicted, he experienced serious financial hardship.

At this point, he said his friend introduced him to a client (victim), who had been defrauded several times.

Olajide then began to siphon money from the victim.

The inexplicable ease with which his ‘client’ gave him money implied that he (client) had been hypnotised.

“I ended up getting plenty money from this client. The cleric had assured me of having lots of money from osole, but he advised me to return to him for an upgrade of the ritual by paying N450,000, saying I would be making millions of naira after using the alleged ‘upgraded’ soap.

“But I didn’t go back because I asked my friend who took me there about what the new upgrade entails since that was what he did, and he warned me sternly against it because of the repercussions behind it.

“He said once I bathe with the ‘upgraded’ soap the cleric would prescribe, I could only wear the clothes and shoes I had and I must not change them for the next two years,” he added.

Four months after he dabbled in osole, Olajide realised that his fortunes began to dwindle as reality pulled the plug on his gravy train.

He said, “Things suddenly turned sour after four months. The client I was getting money from was arrested and ended up in jail and I no longer had any financial link. I ended up becoming more broke than before.

“My friend found me another client but I ended up wasting money rather than gaining some. Then, I was taken to another voodoo practitioner. This one said he would perform a ritual for me but one of its conditions was that I must never have sex with more than one girlfriend for the next three years and if I did otherwise, I would run mad.

“It was then I decided to withdraw from this stuff and went back into teaching for some time. Later on, I was introduced to the crypto business that I now do.”

The poverty factor

The belief in gaining wealth through mystical practices has gained much appeal over the decades in Nigeria with the exponential rise in poverty and lack of equal economic opportunities, especially for young people.

According to the 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index Survey released by the National Bureau of Statistics, 63 per cent of Nigerians, which account for 133 million citizens, are multi-dimensionally poor due to a lack of access to health, education, living standards, employment, and security.

The unemployment rate in Nigeria has not only increased constantly in the past years, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group has also projected that the country’s unemployment rate will hit 37 per cent in 2023.

However, investigations by Saturday PUNCH showed that many Nigerians fervently believe that they can make a lot of money regardless of the dire economic situations in the country through a supernatural supply of money.

Ritual killings

In Nigeria, there are various tales around wealth creation that foster the concept of one becoming rich through the manipulation of metaphysical forces in nature.

 Among the Yoruba, South-West Nigeria, there is the aworo phenomenon that is believed to draw large patronage to a trader in a marketplace.

There is also awure (wealth booster) which can be prepared as a traditional soap or concoction.

Research shows that many Nigerians plank their belief in money rituals on mostly unverified reports.

This has drawn many into desperate measures, including taking the lives of close family members and friends.

In December 2021, a suspected Internet fraudster from Edo State, identified only as Osas, allegedly murdered his girlfriend, Elohor Oniorosa, for ritual purposes.

In November 2022, another Yahoo boy, alongside his herbalist, one Ike, aka Ogenesu, was arrested after policemen recovered suspected human parts at the herbalist’s place in Obiaruku, in the Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.

But Ogun State appeared to have the highest number of reported incidents of such killings.

For instance, the state recorded at least 15 cases of ritual killings between January 2022 and 2023.

In January, the Ogun State Police Command arrested a 36-year-old herbalist, Taiwo Ajalorun, who reportedly confessed to the gruesome killing of a 26-year-old mother of two and two others in the Ijebu Ode area of the state.

On December 28, 2022, in the Ijebu-Ode area of the state, a gang reportedly killed three women, including a girlfriend of one of them, after sleeping with her.

In February 2022, two suspected criminals who were alleged to be ritualists were set ablaze by an angry mob for being in possession of human parts in Oja-Odan in the Yewa-North Local Government Area of the state.

Also, in October 2022, two suspected Internet fraudsters allegedly killed a 40-year-old man, Abdullahi Azeez, in Owode-Egba.

But probably the most pathetic was that of some teenagers who were caught burning the head of a female, Sofia, whom they killed for money ritual in the Oke Aregba area of Abeokuta.

One of the teenagers, Soliu Majekodunmi, who was Sofia’s boyfriend, said in January 2022 that he learnt the practice through Facebook.

Majekodunmi said he typed, ‘How to make money ritual’ on Facebook and got the details, adding that the link instructed him to behead and burn a female skull in a local pot.

Shaman or sham man?

Our correspondent found many Facebook accounts and groups created for seekers of money rituals.

Most of the social media pages had photographs of new naira notes placed in African traditional pots, calabashes, and cowrie-strewn bags, and some showed animal blood splattered on the ground around them.

Posing as a school teacher, our correspondent reached out to one of the acclaimed shamans, Babatunde (surname withheld), who resided in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State.

In his response, he introduced his shrine as the ‘Arab Money Family’ and sent his phone number to our correspondent.

In a rather confident tone, Babatunde said, “If you are ready, even if it is this night, you will pay me and I will get the materials ready to start the ritual work for you. Most of my ritual work is done overnight and by tomorrow, it will be completed and your money will come out.

“You will send me your bank account, photograph, and full name, and you will be receiving money in your account. You will be receiving cash thrice every two weeks.”

When our correspondent inquired whether it is spirits that would be sending the money, he interjected in a mildly exasperated tone, “Listen, I will prepare the money here in my shrine and the money will be entering your account.”

He sent his ritual material price list and asked our correspondent to select the amount of money he wishes to receive in his bank account.

The list says, “N15,500 for N200,000; N20,000 for N300,000; N30,500 for N500,000; N50,000 for N1million; N75,000 for N5million; N90,000 for N20million; and N120,000 for N50 million.”

When our correspondent selected “N20,000 for N300,000,” he reiterated that his brand of ‘money magic’ utilises native materials instead of human blood.

“I make money without human blood and I only make use of native materials. I only make use of materials called ‘Cash of Hope’ and the ‘Money Drawer Oil.’

“Mind you, my work does not require any side effects or human being blood for sacrifice or repercussions, okay? Never say never to the high spirit.

“You don’t need to travel down for the ritual; I will just send them to you and you will get your money, but you must come down to my shrine with a token of appreciation for my work, any amount your heart chooses,” Babatunde added.

When the reporter complained about being unable to afford the cost of the ritual material, the magician urged him to find the money by any means possible and contact him when ready.

Babatunde was also observed to regularly post videos on his Facebook and WhatsApp statuses featuring ‘clients’ who claim to have acquired money through his rituals but the veracity of their claims could not be confirmed.

The second acclaimed money magician, who resides in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, goes by the Facebook name, Iya Ifa Bomi.

In this case, our correspondent posed as a greenhorn ‘Yahoo boy’ and asked her for spiritual assistance in order to obtain money from his ‘clients.’

She said, “You mean you are talking to your clients and they are not giving you money? I can perform a ritual for you and it will involve the use of big Titus fish, pepper, and some fresh leaves, but it will cost you N25,000.

“When you have the money, you can come to Ogbomoso and pick up the materials. I will prepare them for you. I have done this for many Yahoo boys like you and they all come back to testify that their clients are cooperating although some of them are ingrates. We also have some of us who do this work who are scammers and have made people not trust our works.”

Another cleric contacted by our correspondent, Alfa Abdulmumeen Aremu, advertised himself as a practitioner of “money rituals for engineers, contractors, business owners and ‘Yahoo boys.’”

He first demanded a sum of N2,000 and told our correspondent to send his full name and his mother’s name for spiritual consultation before he could recommend osole to him.

In a voice note, he explained, “There are different types of osole and I perform them for people like you, so don’t worry, I am adept in this work. Send me those things first and I will do some consultations to know your destiny in five minutes and I will revert to you.”

Our correspondent sent him a pseudonym along with the name of his late grandmother.

After some minutes, Aremu sent a voice note saying, “I can see you have a very bright destiny but you have some enemies. They are divided into two: some from your family and others from your workplace.

“You will cook ritual meals like rice and semo with tasty stew and give them to the children in your community. They will eat it with relish, and some of them will go to sleep. After you do that, you will be spiritually clean and we can proceed to the next stage.”

Divergent beliefs 

A student of Business Administration, Kazeem Akinpelu, says money rituals are real.

“If they have not been working, people will no longer be practicing them. I grew up in Ibadan, Oyo State, and I know of a market where they sell human parts at night.

“The people selling in this particular market practice voodoo and they are patronised by those who perform money rituals. There was also one time the body parts of a lynched motorcyclist here in Ibadan were used by ritualists,” he added.

However, a civil servant, Nnamdi Okeke, dismissed money rituals as a fantasy that existed only in the realm of make-believe.

“Well, I have not come across any money rituals and I haven’t thought of doing such either. I don’t believe there is anything like ‘blood money.’

“Someone can watch a film and tell you the story, but no cult will tell you what to bring if you have not passed through their ranks, and that is if such things exist, because I don’t believe in them. The question is, the person who wants to make you rich, why is he poor and even why are their  children not rich?” he asked.

Similarly, a medical scientist, Mike Okechukwu, said the whole concept of ritual killing boiled down to superstition.

“People would believe what they want to believe to obtain money. Desperate people will employ desperate measures. For me though, I don’t think ritual killings are effective; I have not seen any proof to make me believe so. It all boils down to superstition,” he stated.

But a sales representative, who gave her name as Judith for security reasons, said she once dated a man whom she believed was involved in such rituals.

She said, “I was dating this Yahoo-Yahoo guy and one day, I visited him unannounced and found that he didn’t want me to go inside his room. He was just acting weird that day.

“But while I stood at the door, he didn’t know I saw a native pot placed on the floor. From that day on, I began to suspect him and that was what made me leave him eventually because I don’t want anybody to use me for money rituals.”

Money ritual mirage

Commenting on popular beliefs about money rituals, a Professor of Philosophy of Religion at the Lagos State University, Danoye Oguntola-Laguda, said herbalists appeal to Internet scammers for pecuniary gain.

He said, “My experience is that there is nothing called money rituals. What many people mistake for money rituals is the prayer for getting rich. That could definitely involve some sacrifices of animals or birds or cooking for the whole community (saara) which brings the blessing of feeding multitudes and people may not be able to determine how you become rich.

“I don’t want to say that those who believe in osole or perform oso are wrong because there are a lot of myths that point in that direction, but if you ask many of them to tell you or show you the real thing, you will see that they have nothing to show.

“I want to say that most of these traditionalists do not even know that those who consult them are ‘Yahoo boys.’ They just see them as people seeking a way to be rich and they do a ritual, pray for them and tell them to go and kill one goat. The babalawos are also human beings who have families to feed so when they see a victim with such a proposal, they grab it with both hands.”

Oguntola-Laguda also explained the difference between religious practice and occultism.

“Religion is experiential; it is about your experience. If I tell you that prayer doesn’t work, it’s because I tried it and it didn’t work and if I tell you that it works, it’s because I tried it and it worked for me.

“There is a need to separate occultism from religious practices. Occultism is the appropriation of spiritual agents, who in most cases are negative, and it’s not limited to African traditional religion; it is something that cuts across the board.

“Many religious people appropriate these negative spiritual agents for these money rituals and power to be able to do things that are extraordinary, like the power to be able to tell the sun to go down or to tell the rain to stop.

“So, it is occult people that will tell you that they will make you rich and invite a spiritual agent to do that for you but they always come with a price and that is what many people have come to call oso or osole.

“In the past, in Yoruba traditional society, the wizard who is called oso doesn’t mean he is rich but has power appropriated through spiritual agents that he deploys for good or evil of society,” he added.

Nollywood magical realism

The scenarios of materially wealthy people enmeshed in sinister rituals and pacts with spirits, is a recurring theme in Nollywood plots.

Findings by Saturday PUNCH revealed that whether in the predominantly Muslim North or the largely Christian South, many religious Nigerians believe in the reality of an unseen world, and the fictive representations from Nollywood plots have heavily shaped their perceptions of reality.

A Nollywood screenwriter, Mr Abiola Omolokun, argued that the depictions of money rituals in films are a true representation of Yoruba culture.

He said, “First, I don’t write such stories, but they are true representations of reality. Money rituals are real and are reflected in our cultural beliefs; they are not fiction.

“We tell a story just to teach morals and make people see things differently. Our stories make them know that for every action, there are consequences.

“Through our movies, we teach that patience is a virtue that youths need to walk on the right path, and in due time, with hard work and perseverance, everything will lead to success.”

However, a researcher in African Studies, Akin Faleye, contended that such stories lack historical precedent and are fraudulent.

“As a student of global history, I will say that there is no evidence that the Yoruba practised money rituals in the pre-colonial time. All these stories of money rituals are fraudulent and emanated from psychopaths rather than people with some actual spiritual knowledge of how to make money,” he stated.

Money rituals in other cultures

In some other cultures, what could be termed as money rituals are often symbolic acts or dramas that appeal to psychological and cosmic powers through an application of symbolic structures.

In Ireland, there is a tradition of taking a piece of straw from the nativity scene/crib in the church at Christmas and keeping it in your purse or wallet, which is believed to bring financial prosperity throughout the year.

An Indian author, Suresh Padmanabhan, in his work, I Love Money, devoted a chapter to ‘Money rituals’ and wrote, “Take a currency note in your hand and wish it ‘Good morning.’ “Express gratitude to your wallet, accounts book, cash box, bank passbook, or any other tools connected directly to money. Smile at yourself in the mirror and pat yourself when you perform a task well.”

Some practitioners in western traditions also perform what they define as money spells/rites, which involve the invocation of spirits and archangels, drawing ritual circles, erecting a temple and an altar, and presenting offerings to ancient deities.

However, these rituals are often believed and practiced by religious groups on the fringes and are based on cultural paradigms that only allow clearly defined routes of financial access through hard work, lucrative business, and clever exploitation of market gaps.

Lamenting the lack of profitable skills available to Nigerian youths, a United Kingdom-based personal development coach, Mr Toyyib Adelodun, highlighted the need for popular magical ideas about money to be refuted.

“Nigerian youths need to understand that money is a unit of account to measure, therefore the more value you produce for the community, the richer you are supposed to be. So, the first thing a young person should seek is education and skills to earn money.

“Money is always circulating in an economy. It is the Central Bank of Nigeria that prints money, it doesn’t come from anywhere else. We saw a practical example of this recently when the CBN embarked on the naira redesign and there wasn’t enough money in circulation. So, there is no magic that is going to bring money from anywhere unless you offer your skills as a person of value.

“I have been to several countries in the world and I can see that money only comes from value creation. Unfortunately, Nigerian youths are not equipped with the relevant skills; we just go to religious houses to pray and sit back at home and don’t market skills or deliver an excellent service in order to generate wealth. We don’t have to resort to crimes,” he said.

Clerics urge re-orientation

A Senior Pastor at Christ Life Church, Ibadan, Prof. Wale Coker, told Saturday PUNCH the youth need a re-orientation that would see them embrace a new value system other than the present mad rush to become wealthy overnight.

“The scriptures state that ‘wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished, but he that gathers by labour shall increase’. Youths should be encouraged to walk in the fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom,” he added.

The National Missioner of the Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Shiekh, Abdur-Rahman Ahmad, stated, “All those who claim to be Muslims and Alfas that are involved in money rituals know within their hearts that they are doing something wrong and deceiving people.

“The reality is that there is no money ritual. It is not only against the letter and spirit of the laws of Islam but also against human conscience. Islam recognises only three sources of legitimate wealth: direct labour or hard work, inheritance, and a legitimate gift and this doesn’t mean a Greek gift or bribe or something induced.”

On her part, a traditionalist, Omitonade Ifawemimo, said, “There is no shortcut in Isese (traditional spirituality). If you don’t work, you won’t be wealthy. Nollywood and the fantasy it creates bears responsibility for the concept of money rituals.

“Human sacrifice for money rituals does not exist in Isese. It is fake, madness, and a scam! It’s tragic that Yoruba movies have messed up people’s thinking into believing all these lies.”

Source: Money ritual seekers’ dark walk into deceit, misery

“It’ll encourage ritual killing” – MURIC begs NBC, others to ban Portable’s new album (Nigeria)

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In Nigeria a public discussion has started on banning a song allegedly inciting young people to commit ritual murders. If ever existed a reason to demonstrate the widespread occurrence of ritualistic murders in Africa’s most populated country then it’s no longer the case with the nation-wide debate on Yahoo Yahoo and ritual killings, locally called ‘money rituals’ – get-rich-quick’.

The despised song and related rage over the alleged incitement to commit murder once more demonstrates that the type of ritual murders which are being committed in Nigeria, presumably all over the country, is different form the ‘traditional’, may I call it the ‘classical’ human sacrifice which once was part of African culture, as it also was in Latin America (Incas, Mayas) and Asia (nowadays India, China) and Europe. Unfortunately, speaking of these ritualistic acts in the past tense is not correct as up till the present day ritual murders or Satanic murders are being reported from the regions mentioned including North America.

In ancient times human sacrifices were performed in various forms and for various reasons varying from sacrificing a member of one’s tribe for the benefit of the whole community, or for purposes of accompanying the soul of a departed chief or loved one to the ancestors (‘The Great Beyond’). The victim of the sacred ceremony was chosen by the priests or elders of the community and sometimes the parents of the victim would consider it a source of pride to contribute to the welfare of the community or the eternal rest of a chief by ‘sacrificing’ their son or daughter.

Nowadays, however, ritual murders are being committed for the well-being of an individual who desires to increase his wealth, power or reputation, and who believes in the supernatural power of specific body parts of the victim, whereas the victims are increasingly picked at random. This ‘criminalization’ of a hitherto cultural phenomenon is the main characteristic of most ritual murders being committed nowadays in African countries. What makes it sometimes even worse is that the perpetrators are protected by powerful people who at times are themselves involved in these barbaric acts. Th fact that in several countries ritual murders are on the increase during elections campaigns is a bitter illustration of this reality.
(Webmaster FVDK).

It’ll encourage ritual killing – MURIC begs NBC, others to ban Portable’s new album

Popular pop singer, Habeeb Okikiola aka Portable has released a new album under the title ‘Kuku Do Ritual’ in which part of the lyrics say, ‘Kuku do ritual. If you do ritual you go die. If you no do ritual you go die.
Kuku do ritual’.

Published: January 24, 2023
By: John Ogunsemore – The Herald, Nigeria

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned sensational musician, Portable’s new album titled, ‘Kuku Do Ritual’, urging authorities to ban it.

According to the Islamic human rights organisation, the album is a brazen assault on Nigerian and African values and has the potential to encourage ritual killing and mislead Nigerian youth.

MURIC made this known in a Monday statement signed by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The organisation called on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and the Performing Musicians’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) to take necessary action with military dispatch to stop the circulation of the album.

The statement reads, “Popular pop singer, Habeeb Okikiola (Portable) has released a new album under the title ‘Kuku Do Ritual’ in which part of the lyrics say, ‘Kuku do ritual. If you do ritual you go die. If you no do ritual you go die. Kuku do ritual’.

“We find this song disgusting, detestable and egregious. It is a brazen assault on Nigerian and African values. Portable’s latest song has reduced human life to the level of ordinary ants that can be stamped out under human feet without qualms and without consequences. It is an open invitation to criminality. It makes mockery of law and order. It is an open disrespect for human life.

“This song has the capacity to influence our young ones in a negative manner. It is also capable of destroying the future of the youth. Something must be done urgently. Already, there are several reports of young ones engaging in the shameful act for the purpose of getting rich in their tender ages.

“Three teenagers were caught attempting to kill a 13-year-old girl for money ritual in Bayelsa State in January 2022.

“Four teenagers living in Abeokuta, Ogun State, killed the girlfriend of one of them for money ritual. In fact, there is a plethora of ritual killings among young Yahoo practitioners in the country.

“MURIC calls on all men of goodwill, all mothers in Nigeria, Muslim and Christian leaders to rise against the madness called Yahoo Yahoo and ritual killings among young ones whose ambassador has just released this horrendous song in their praise. ‘Kuku Do Ritual’ is nothing but a eulogy to glorify and elevate the names of ritual killers to high heaven.

“This album calls for immediate action from Nigeria’s traditional rulers. They are the custodians of our tradition. We therefore take our cry for help to these royal fathers to speak up on this sacrilegious song released by ‘Portable’. They must put pressure on the authorities to stop the circulation and broadcast of this album on any radio or television station and through any medium whatsoever.

“We invite the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and the Performing Musicians’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) to take necessary action with military dispatch.

“We see no reason why the security agencies should not investigate the author of this most embarrassing and irrational song to explain the number of rituals in which he has indulged. A scape goat must be made of this album and its artist before the trend escalates.

“Nobody should hide behind artistic priviledge, poetic licence or freedom of expression to launch such barbaric offensive on our culture, our norms and our values. This is beyond free speech. It is criminal speech. It is incitement to commit murder. It is instigation to criminality. It is a bestial invasion on decency and good manners. It is Bohemian.”

Source: It’ll encourage ritual killing – MURIC begs NBC, others to ban Portable’s new album

More:

Trouble looms for Portable over song titled ‘kuku do ritual’
Published: January 24, 2023
By: Michael Adesina – PM News, Nigeria

Extracts:

“This song has the capacity to influence our young ones in a negative manner. It is also capable of destroying the future of the youth. Something must be done urgently. Already, there are several reports of young ones engaging in the shameful act for the purpose of getting rich in their tender ages.

“Three teenagers were caught attempting to kill a 13-year-old girl for money ritual in Bayelsa State in January 2022.

“Four teenagers living in Abeokuta, Ogun State, killed the girlfriend of one of them for money ritual.

In fact there is a plethora of ritual killings among young Yahoo practioners in the country.

More:

‘It encourages killing for money’ — MURIC asks NBC to ban Portable’s ‘Kuku Do Ritual’
Published: January 23, 2023
By: James Ojo – The Cable Lifestyle, Nigeria

MURIC hits, reports Portable over ‘kuku do ritual’ song
Published:
By: Ekaete Bassey – The Nation, Nigeria

MURIC Calls For Ban Of Portable’s Song, “Kuku Do Ritual”
According to the Islamic human rights organisation, the song is deceptive and can inspire young people in Nigeria to go into ritual killings.

Published: January 25, 2023 (updates)
By: Per Second News, Nigeria

MURIC Director Ishaq Akintiola

Kayunga District, Uganda: two get 40 years in jail over ‘child sacrifice’

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On November 13 I posted on this website a report on the notoriety of Kayunga District in Uganda when it comes to child sacrifices and ritualistic murders. In this posting I mentioned the case of Allan Ssembatya – then a six-year old small boy – who was cut with a machete and left fighting for his life in a forest. The offence was committed in Busolo Village, Kayunga District, in 2009. Luckily, Allan was found alive. Two men were arrested for attempted murder; recently they were sentenced to 40 years in prison. Both Allan Ssembatya and the the convicts, Awali Kivumbi and Paul Ngaswireki (see photo), were residents of Busolo in Kayunga Sub-county, Kayunga District.

Thirteen years after the incident took place justice was delivered. Hail to the Uganda judicial system! Nevertheless the foregoing, ‘prevention is better than cure’: all efforts should be made to prevent these crimes through proper education and the eradication of superstition.
(webmaster VDK)

Warning: some readers may find the following report disturbing.

Two get 40 years in jail over ‘child sacrifice’

Awali Kivumbi (left) and Oaul Ngaswireki (right) during the court hearing. PHOTO | FRED MUZAALE

Published: September 20, 2022
By: Fred Muzaale – Monitor, Uganda

Court has sentenced two men to 40 years imprisonment each after they were found guilty of attempting to behead a six-year-old boy for ritual sacrifice.

Chief Magistrate Sarah Tusiime yesterday sentenced Paul Ngaswireki and Awali Kivumbi, after evidence linked them to attempting to murder Allan Ssembatya who was cut with a panga (machete) and left fighting for his life in a forest. 

He was only discovered by his grandparents while in a coma.

“In light of the above evidence, submissions and the law, the prosecution has provided its case beyond a reasonable doubt that A1 and A2 are guilty of the offense of attempted murder of Ssembatya Allan contrary to Section 204 of the Penal Code Act,” held magistrate Tusiime.

The prosecution led by Mr Edward Muhumuza states that the offence was committed in 2009 in Busolo Village.

Ssembatya is now 19 years and in Senior One.

At the time of the incident, Ssembatya was six years old and in Primary Two at Busaale Church of Uganda Primary School, Kayunga. 

In her ruling, the magistrate held that the conduct of the two convicts before, during and after the commission of the act was wanting.

The magistrates explained that Kivumbi, had been a good neighbour and even visited Ssembatya’s family quite often in hospital.

“It makes one believe that the frequent visits by A2 (Kivumbi) were to monitor the health of the victim or to conceal their participation. Such conduct is enough to prove that indeed there was malice aforethought,” held Ms Tusiime.

The magistrate also observed that the body parts damaged were the neck, head, skull, shoulder and testis.

The victim and the convicts were all residents of Busolo in Kayunga Sub-county, Kayunga District.

The convict was in their first trial acquitted for lack of evidence. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) appealed, leading to yesterday’s verdict.

Present at court were the father of the victim and a number of anti-child sacrifice activists from Kyampisi Childcare Ministries, a non-governmental organisation.

The magistrate branded the case as purely one for “child sacrifice”.

Both convicts asked for lighter sentences.

“I have 12 children and two wives and I was their breadwinner. I now don’t know what my family is up to,” Kivumbi said.

Mr Peter Sewakiryanga, the executive director of Kyampisi Childcare Ministries, said he had relocated Ssembatya’s family for their safety.

“My belief is that now we have a precedence that, however long it takes to get justice, when there is will by the community, justice can be delivered,” Mr Sewakiryanga said.

Source: Two get 40 years in jail over ‘child sacrifice’

Uganda: two witchdoctors arrested over child sacrifice in Mbale

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Perpetrators of human sacrifices in Uganda face severe punishments including the death penalty when found guilty of ritual murder. This does not scare certain individuals to engage in this cruel, gruesome and criminal practice, as the article below demonstrates. (webmaster FVDK).

The Daily Monitor and Daily Monitor Yahudu Kitunzi are to be commended for paying attention to this news.

Two witchdoctors arrested over child sacrifice in Mbale

One of the suspects who confessed to the ritual murder sits on a police truck after leading detectives to the crime scene in Sisye Cell, Namatala Ward in Mbale City on September 1, 2022. PHOTO/YAHUDU KITUNZI

Published: September 1, 2022
By: Yahudu Kitunzi, reporter Daily Monitor

What you need to know:

  • A detained suspect who led police to the crime scene on Thursday morning told detectives that “they killed the child for sacrifice.”

Police in Mbale City have arrested two witchdoctors who confessed involvement in the sacrifice of a five-year old boy who disappeared three weeks ago.

One of the two suspects leads police to the crime scene in Sisye Cell, Namatala Ward in Mbale City on September 1, 2022. PHOTO/YAHUDU KITUNZI

With some parts missing, the body of Rajibu Nasamba was Wednesday evening found buried in a sugarcane plantation along Kabwagasi Road in Namatala Ward, Northern Mbale City Division.

“The deceased disappeared and his parents reported the case of disappearance to police. We have arrested two suspects to help with investigations,” Elgon region Police Spokesperson, Mr Rogers Taitika confirmed.

He identified the suspects as Jamadah Isiko and Ibrahim Isiko, who are brothers and residents of Kiduda Cell in Namatala Ward in Mbale Industrial City Division.

Detained Isiko who led police to the crime scene on Thursday morning told detectives that “they killed the child for sacrifice.”

 “It’s my brother who beheaded the boy and brought the body in the sugar cane for traditional rituals,” he said.

A police detective at the crime scene in Sisye Cell, Namatala Ward in Mbale City on September 1, 2022. PHOTO/YAHUDU KITUNZI

Preliminary police investigations indicate that the duo are also connected to the alleged sacrifice of a son to Mr Lukman Musamba.

Namatala ward resident Musamba said his son disappeared from home under unclear circumstances.

“I reported the disappearance of my son at Namatala police stations and I also placed radio announcements but in vain,” Mr Musamba, said.

Ms Mariam Mwiza, the Anti Human trafficking Activist, asked police to take the cases serious.

“The suspects shouldn’t be given a bond and thorough investigations should be conducted by police,” Ms Mwiza emphasized.

Mr Taitika disclosed that the suspects currently detained at Mbale central police station will be prosecuted but also cautioned parents to protect their children.

Human sacrifice in Uganda attracts severe punishments that may include life in jail or death.

Source: Two witchdoctors arrested over child sacrifice in Mbale

Nigeria: ‘Stop Ritual Killings’ Campaign taken to Secondary Schools

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The alarming increase in reported cases of ritual murders in the country – nothing less than human sacrifices – has inspired a number of muslim youth in Nigeria to start a campaign addressing the youth in secondary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State.

I have mixed feeling reading this news. On the one hand, it makes me feel good that people speak out against the crime of ritual murder – senseless, criminal, outrageous, unnecessary, based on greed for power, status or wealth – and take concrete action against it. The example deserves to be followed on a national level. On the other hand, it is sad that such a campaign is still necessary in the year 2022. We are living in the third millennium!

By the way, where are the nation’s rulers in all this, the government, the people’s representatives in parliament? It may be useful to recall a recent decision of the House of Representatives asking the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on ritual killings in the country (see my February 11, 2022 post)?
(FVDK)

A group of muslim youths under the aegis of Majlis Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya Nigeria (MKAN) has embarked on a sensitization campaign to secondary schools in Ibadan (Oyo State)

Published: March 19, 2022
By: National Insight, Nigeria

Appalled by the increasing rate of crime especially ritual killing in Nigeria, a group of muslim youths under the aegis of Majlis Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya Nigeria (Cocacola Dil’a) has embarked on sensitization campaign to secondary schools in Ibadan.

The focus is to enlighten the younger generations on the dangers ahead if the incessant ritual killings and other form of crimes is not abated.

Some of the school visited included Community grammar school Mokola Ibadan, Awotan / Araro community High School , Apete, Humani Alaga high school sango, Akufo High school among others.

They noted that ritual killing (human-based sacrifice) has been on the increase as the number of missing persons reportedly killed gruesomely for ritual purposes increases all over the country in the recent time.

The group also attributed the major cause of the menace to get-rich-quick syndrome among young adults in the country, i.e, the urge to get rich earlier has led lots of youths into engaging in money ritual activities.”

“Teenagers who are expected to be preparing themselves for the future have now began to think about owning exotic cars and houses. Many resort to internet fraud and other cyber crimes, and when that seems not to be working as expected, they engage in ritual to enhance their fraudulent activities and to maintain the affluent life they had begun to live.”

Oyo State, Nigeria