Category Archives: kidnapping

Many ritual killings, murder cases happen in homesteads —Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Nigeria

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The Commissioner of Police in charge of Ogun State Command, Dr Lanre Ogunlowo made a remarkable statement while being interviewed on the subject of the alarming rise in crimes and how to ensure security and safety in this southwestern coastal state. Ogun State borders Lagos, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states in the south, east and north and the republic of Benin in the west.

Ogun State is located in the South West geopolitical zone of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Nigeria is divided into six geopolitical zones commonly called zones). With a surface area of 16,762 km2 Ogun State ranks 24th (out of 36 states) and with a population of about 7 million people in 2024 it occupies the 13th position.

The majority of the population belongs to the Yoruba ethnic group, their language being the lingua franca of the state. The dominant religions in Ogun State are majority Islam and minority Christianity although a certain amount of traditional religion is still practiced.

The capital of Ogun State is Abeokuta. 

CP Ogunlowo made the chilling acknowledgement that “Quite a number of this issue of ritual killing and murder cases happen in homesteads (….)”

True, he combines in this particular sentence both ritual murders and ‘ordinary’ murders, but nonetheless his comments warrant more than superficial attention. Besides, if this is the case in Ogun State, what about the other 35 Nigerian states?

It is common knowledge that the scourge of ritual killings (known as ‘money rituals’ in Nigeria) scares millions of Nigerians, young and old, males and females – with over 220 million people Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country – and constitutes a serious violation of one of the most basic human rights, the right to live without fear. Ogunlowo’s recognition means even at home Nigerians are not safe.

The states’ governments and the federal government in Abuja have work to do!
(FVDK)

Many ritual killings, murder cases happen in homesteads —Ogun State Commissioner of Police Ogunlowo

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Dr. Lanre Ogunlowo. Photo: Oluwatoyin Malik

Published: April 4, 2025
By: Oluwatoyin Malik – Nigerian Tribune

In this interview with Crime Editor, OLUWATOYIN MALIK, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Ogun State Command, Dr Lanre Ogunlowo, speaks on the efforts in curbing crimes and ensuring security and safety in the state. Excerpts:

KIDNAPPING in the South West states, Ogun inclusive, is of utmost concern currently. What is Ogun State Police Command doing about it?

We don’t take things for granted because anything can happen at any time. So, even in peace times, we are still on our toes. And for the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and tactical units, all of us keep putting pressure on one another that our areas must be calm. So, you can’t be executive DPO, executive Area Commander. There is always need to go out and see what is happening in your domain.

We try to get feedbacks from people. We can’t go the press and tell them Ogun is peaceful and calm while people experience otherwise. We tell the people to be candid and tell us if we are not doing enough. We don’t take it as criticism. Let them tell us how they feel. That will guide our own actions too.

God is helping us, and the governor is doing his utmost, I must say that. Ogun state government is assisting us all the way. It is not that we don’t have one-off situations but as they come up, we deal with them.

The last major one we had was in Ogijo area about three weeks ago when they a young boy was kidnapped. Eventually, we put pressure on the kidnappers and the boy escaped unhurt because of the pressure. During our encounter, one of them (kidnappers) was neutralised by the police firepower.

What we are trying to do is to let people know this: if you are committing crime, you have two options – either stop or get caught. Stop it or you answer to the law. But like I do say, what we just do majorly is to continue to put pressure on our personnel that they must be awake for the people of Ogun State to sleep soundly.

Except the one-offs, does it mean kidnappings have reduced?

The Inspector General of Police has been very helpful. I know we have five functional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) in recent time. We have one at Ijebu Ode, we have one by Sagamu interchange, we have one at Ilaro axis, we have one at Iperu Remo and we have one patrolling Abeokuta. We just want people to have peace of mind because the fear of security forces is also security on its own.

I will be honest; that does not mean that we are not having challenges, especially attacks on commercial motorcyclists. We have tried to educate them and create awareness that as they are looking for money, they ride bike 10 p.m., 11 p.m., 1 a.m., and they see two, three people who wave them down and ask to be taken to a place, and you pick them. Constantly, we have cases of attacks on these commercial bike riders and we have reached out to them that they should take a rest after working till 8 or 9 p.m. because late-hour attacks are of concern, but we are still having them because the riders will not listen. They seem not to care about their security. This is a major thing we have been dealing with. We can only just continue to keep vigil so that we don’t have such incidents during the coming celebration of Easter as we did at Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

What about the ritual killers?

Just as all other incidents we are talking about, in ritual killing, I don’t know where they got this idea that you can kill or use human being to make money. It’s a sad development. In Ogun State, we are dealing with them as best as we can. As many as we are able to get hold of, we investigate and prosecute, so we enjoin citizens to be self-aware, to be concerned about their security. Quite a number of this issue of ritual killing and murder cases happen in homesteads where no security personnel can protect anyone. We have relations, families where one person kills the other. These are things happening in homes which we can’t do much about”. (italics added – webmaster FVDK)
Be that as it may, the Deputy Commissioner, Criminal Investigation Department (DCCID) and the Assistant Commissioner, Criminal Investigation Department (ACCID) are doing their best in that regard. We just keep trying.

Some people go to graveyards and cemeteries to exhume corpses to remove body parts, with the belief that the offence is bailable and they will regain their freedom soon. What’s your take on this?

We can only speak for the police and their activities. We investigate and process them to court. We are law enforcement agents. We don’t make law, we enforce it, and we can only operate within the ambit of the law. If the law declares a particular act as bailable, it is not within our own competence to say otherwise. It is just as the issue of land grabbing, it’s everyday incident in Ogun. And we say, look, the police cannot apportion land, and we cannot declare A or B as the owner of land. If you have any issue, go to court. But what the police will not allow to happen is the breakdown of law and order. If we see people disturbing public peace because of a piece of land, our own is to move everybody to court. Let them tell the court that they are having issues over land ownership. The police cannot decide who owns the land.

The moment we take cases to court, it is outside police purview. If the law classifies it as bailable offence, then it is. A lot of people usually say that police cannot be trusted because when they take confirmed criminals to them, by a week after, such criminals would be seen in town, free. If we arrest, we detain them for investigation, but such cannot be prolonged. If it’s a bailable offence, the person will be released on bail. And when we complete our investigation, we go to court. The court will exercise its power if it is a bailable offence, and we cannot fault them for that.

Source: Many ritual killings, murder cases happen in homesteads —CP Ogunlowo

Nigeria, Taraba State: fear gripping Jalingo residents following an increase of cases of missing persons which is linked to ritual killings

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As I have repeatedly stated on this site, Nigeria is most likely the African country where most ritualistic murders are taking place, not in the least because with 200 million people the West African nation is Africa’s most populated country.

Security, or rather insecurity, is one of Nigeria’s biggest problems. Not a day passes without prominent politicians, ordinary citizens, civil society organizations and newspaper editors and journalists complaining about the present situation. The three main manifestations of insecurity, terrorism and the resulting fear relate to Boko Haram, kidnappings by bandits who demand ransoms for their hostages, and – unfortunately, also ritual murders, locally known as ‘money rituals’: killing, rather slaughtering, of innocent people by unscrupulous people who believe his will result in more power, prestige, wealth or a better health. Superstition based on greed and ignorance.

Notably the southern states are notorious for their ritualistic murders, but these days also the people in Taraba State, in North Eastern Nigeria, and in particular in the – with 120,000 inhabitants relatively small – state capital Jalingo, who live in fear following a wave of ritualistic murders and missing persons. 

it is nearly impossible to include on this site all ritual murder cases which are brought to light in Nigeria. Over the last few months I have been confronted with tens of murder cases, in a large number of states, which I have not included on this site. I may present a summary in the near future.

For the time being I bring this particular case, in Taraba State, to your attention. It is noteworthy that there are over 40 different tribes and languages in Taraba State which all have a rich culture and history. After all, a friend who knows the country very well once described Nigeria to me as ‘a nice set of countries’.

If you wish to read more about Taraba State, which lies largely in the middle of Nigeria, please click this link.  (webmaster FVDK).

Source: Nigeria Galleria – Taraba state, Nigeria

Fear grips Jalingo residents as cases of missing persons rise

Published: October 22, 2021
By: Magaji Hunkuji – Daily Trust, Nigeria 

Fear has gripped residents of Jalingo following an increase of cases of missing persons which is linked to ritual killings.

Areas worse affected, according to sources, include roads leading to Jalingo main market, Karofi area to Baba Yau and ATC.

North East Trust’s finding revealed that incidents of missing persons started a few months ago and it worsened in September and October.

Dead bodies of some of those that got missing were found with part of their bodies removed while several others are yet to be found.

One of the victims, Sulei Musa Kantiyel, who resided at Jauro Boto in the Jalingo metropolis was said to have left his house at about 10 pm on  September 15 and two days later his corpse was found on a maize farm along Mile Six Road with many parts of his body removed.

Another person, Husseini Maigari of Anguwan Baraya also got missing on  September 17 and he is yet to be traced.

North East Trust also gathered that an elderly woman who disappeared between Jalingo main market to Kasuwan Yelwa is also yet to be found.

Similarly, the dead bodies of three persons including two women were said to have been found with parts of their bodies removed in two locations in Jalingo recently.

Further findings revealed that the children of one Ibrahim Maigini, who got missing from their house at Tudun Wada were lucky to be found alive at a military checkpoint on the outskirt of Jalingo.

Their father, lbrahim, told our reporter that he received a call from his wife that their children, aged 10 and 11, were missing.

He said it was at about 5 pm the photos of the two missing boys were posted at one of the checkpoints requesting for their parents to come and claim them.

It was learnt that the ritualists use tricycles and private cars to perpetrate their crime both during the day and night.

Some residents who spoke to our correspondent on the  issue said nobody is safe in the town because the ritualists are targeting both children and the elderly and operating in many parts of the town.

One of the residents, Mallam Sani Saidu said security agents and  the community should work closely to address the situation.

The state Chairman of Commercial Motorcycles Operators, Abdullahi Bello, told North East Trust that he was aware of the complaints that  some of his members were being used by some of the criminals behind the missing persons.

He said the association has put in place measures to address the issue.

He said part of the measures include suspension of operations by all members at 9 pm and violators would be arrested and prosecuted.

The police spokesman, DSP Abdullahi Usman, said from his finding, the command has not received any case of missing persons within the metropolis.

“Rumors have it that there are series of such cases” the PPRO said.

Source: Fear Grips Jalingo Residents As Cases Of Missing Persons Rise

Ritual Killing in Nigeria: Let The Carnage Stop

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Not a word too much. This Op-Ed of the Nigerian newspaper ‘For God and Country LEADERSHIP’ echoes my firmest belief, my most ardent wish. I wholeheartedly share the editors’ cry for an end to ritual killings, for justice and the rule of law in Africa’s most populated country, Nigeria. Repeatedly I have drawn here attention to the fact that ritual murders are rampant in the country and I have reported numerous examples on this website. When will the Nigerian authorities, both on the federal as the state level, act accordingly? 
(webmaster FVDK)

Ritual Killing: Let The Carnage Stop

Published: March 5, 2021
By: Leadership, Nigeria – Editorial

Last week, the internet was awash, yet again, with another case of suspected mass kidnapping and ritual killings. In the suburb of Onitsha, Anambra State, a woman and her children were found, in a bizarre collaboration, with several toddlers and kids whom she randomly selected to pound in a mortar into mash and then deliver the blood-cuddling product to her clients. The self-acclaimed prophetess has since been arrested.

Such a gory tale spiced with the worst dose of cruelty and man’s inhumanity to man brings to the fore the pervasive wickedness and deceit of the human mind.Still suspected, alleged and proven cases of ritual killings, grave robbery and dealing in human parts are replete across the land. From Calabar to Maiduguri and Lagos to Sokoto such cases, reported and unreported, fill the news space and rumour mills drawing attention to tendencies towards the grotesque.

Sadly, this development is becoming scarier by the day as the young, the old, male and female share in this ugly trend, engaging in a macabre competition with kidnapping and terrorism, all of which make the land more insecure. It gores the heart that even with the alarm raised by well-meaning individuals, institutions and organisations, the situation rather than abate, persists.

In the opinion of this newspaper, it is somewhat confounding that a nation whose citizens pride themselves as the most religious and happiest on earth could descend so low into debauchery, sheer cold-blooded murder and cannibalism in the name of ritual killings. To which god(s) do the perpetrators of these evil acts offer their fellow human beings as sacrifice and for what purpose?

As unacceptable as it is, the ailing economy may present itself as a lousy excuse for those who risk such practices. Yet, it is utterly inconceivable that some do sink this abysmally low to the point of patronising all shades of nocturnal, diabolical and dubious characters including kidnappers just to get the raw materials to feed their yawning bestial desire.

In our considered opinion, it is a shame if not utterly reprehensible that motherless homes, orphanages and health institutions euphemistically referred to as baby factories have been reported to be part of the huge source which feeds the furnace of this raging conflagration of ritual killings.

We recall that, consistently, well-meaning Nigerians, religious leaders, other leaders of thought and culture enthusiasts among them have, at various times, spoken out in open condemnation of this drift towards nihilism. We urge them to do more. As a matter of urgency, they should step up the campaigns against ritual killing, an act that is not only despicable to mortals but also offensive to the Supreme Being.

It is pertinent to stress that it is time all the relevant government agencies and non-state actors took the war against ritual killing to the perpetrators. There is an urgent need to save the country from being stigmatised by this ugly stamp added to those of insecurity and corruption which are already an albatross on the neck of Nigeria. The case of baby Adam (a victim of ritual killing) confirmed to have been killed in faraway United Kingdom but whose origin was traced to Nigeria is still fresh in the mind.

Behind this ugly trend is cultism indulged in by some members of society who yield to the negative in their mindless quest for power and the penchant to be dreaded and feared. These are people who nurture the self- delusion of being in charge and in control. Their co-travellers in this trip to nothingness, in our view, are the get rich quick maniacs who go to any length to acquire wealth for the sake of it. And when they soon realise that it is all vanity, they go to their religious leaders to confess their blood oaths. The police have a right to know whose blood was used in those unwholesome rituals. The religious leaders owe it a duty to humanity to report such confessions.

While we salute the courage and gallantry of the security personnel who often put their own lives on the line trying to secure the land, it is also important to let them know that the battle will not be won until the last vestige of anti-social behaviour is extirpated from decent society.

Furthermore, we implore law-making bodies, across all the tiers of government, to enact laws (where not in existence), strengthen the hands of the law enforcement operatives, with stringent penalties and other wherewithal necessary to bring these evil elements to justice.

Source: Ritual Killing: Let The Carnage Stop

Superstition and witchcraft, reasons to dissolve a marriage (Nigeria)

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I have hesitated to present here the following reports since there’s no kidnapping, mutilation or murder involved, hence no violation of human rights. However, I decided to include these articles for three reasons.

First, to demonstrate the pervasive existence of the belief in superstition in society, not only among ‘ordinary’ (read: uneducated) people but also among highly educated people such as lawyers and even judges. Apparently, the latter consider the belief in witchcraft enough reason to disband many-year-old marriages if a couple accuses one another of witchcraft. It is important to emphasize that it’s in this context – belief in witchcraft – that ritualistic activities such as murders, kidnappings, mutilation of victims and grave robbing occur. Hence, the second reason to include these reports is that the belief in witchcraft, even if it does not culminate in murder or another heinous crime, lies at the basis of ritualistic killings (known as ‘money rituals’ in Nigeria), which terrorize the population and form a serious and intolerable infringement upon their basic human right to live without fear. And thirdly, last but not least, this site is not only focusing on ritual killings but also on witchcraft and superstition, after all closely related (webmaster FVDK).

My husband wants to use me for ritual – Woman tells court

Published: March 5, 2021
By: Daily Post, Nigeria – Nsikak Nseyen 

A Customary Court in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State has dissolved a six-year-old marriage between a trader, Kaosara Okeowo and her husband, Lateef, over alleged threat to life.

The mother of two had told the court that she was in danger because her husband wants to use her for ritual.

Delivering judgment, Chief Ademola Odunade, the President of the court, dissolved the marriage in the interest of peace.

NAN reports that Odunade awarded custody of the two children to Okeowo.

The arbitrator ordered Lateef to pay N10,000 as child support.

Testifying, Okeowo said, “My Lord, things are not going on well. He requests for unusual and personal things from me.”

But Lateef denied the allegations.

”She can go if she wants to leave. I want the court to order her to return his cooking utensils, clothes and a big ram in her custody,” he said.

However, Lateef’s father argued that his son was not a ritualist and that his daughter-in-law was such an opportunist who had seen another man with more money.

Source: My husband wants to use me for ritual – Woman tells court

And:

My husband uses “charms” on me during sex – Woman tells court

Published: February 5, 2021
By: Daily Post, Nigeria – Don Silas

A businesswoman, Bukola Ejalonibu, on Friday, told a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan to dissolve her 23-year-old marriage to her estranged husband, Kolawole because he uses charms on her during sex.

In her petition, Bukola prayed the court to grant her prayer for divorce because: ”my husband uses charms on me before sleeping with me.

“My lord, my life is in danger. Every time he uses the charms, I faint and have to be hospitalised. Kolawole is a reckless drunk and can kill me,”.

She alleged that Kolawole threw her things out of the house and destroyed her supermarket.

In his defence, Kolawale said that his wife was an ingrate.

”She wants me dead so that she can inherit my property.

“I opened a multi-million Naira supermarket for her. I give her money. My wife is promiscuous,” he alleged.

After listening to the testimonies, the president of the court, Chief Ademola Odunade dissolved the marriage.

Odunade granted custody of the first two children to Kolawole and the
last two to Ejalonibu.

He ordered the respondent to pay N10,000 as monthly feeding allowance to Ejalonibu.

Source: My husband uses “charms” on me during sex – Woman tells court

And:

Man narrates how wife asked witch doctor to tie him spiritually, milk him dry

Published: January 14, 2020,
By: Daily Post, Nigeria – Annie Nwosu

A Customary Court sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, on Thursday dissolved a 15-year-old marriage between a mother of two, Olubunmi Faseyitan, and her husband, Kolawole, over ”witchcraft” suspicion.

Kolawole, who prayed for the dissolution of his 15-year-old marriage on grounds that his wife was into black magic, said he did everything possible to please her. but it was not enough.

“I abandoned the home to her after she confessed to me,” he said.

He also presented the recorded conversation between his wife and the alleged witch doctor as exhibit before the court.

In her defense, Faseyitan told the court that she never wished death on her husband.

According to her, “all I wanted was to him in bondage and make him sick, until he serves his purpose.”

”I only told the witch doctor to do it in such a way that people would be convinced that his second wife was responsible for the calamity that befell him,” she said.

Delivering Judgement, President of the court, Chief Ademola Odunade, dissolved the marriage after Faseyitan admitted that she asked a witch doctor to ”tie her husband spiritually to milk him dry”.

He said that he dissolved the union in the interest of peace and granted custody of the two children to Faseyitan.

Odunade also ordered Kolawole to pay N6,000 monthly for the children’s upkeep, NAN reports.

Source: Man narrates how wife asked witch doctor to tie him spiritually, milk him dry

And:

Court dissolves 10-year-old marriage over alleged money ritual

Published: November 24, 2020
By: Daily Post, Nigeria – Annie Nwosu

A Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan, on Tuesday dissolved a 10-year-old marriage between one Basirat Adeyoyin and estranged husband, Adeyoyin Niyi over attempted money ritual.
Basirat told the court that she was calling it quit with her husband because, “he was making desperate effort to use her for money ritual.’’

She said that she first noticed this when her husband did not show any regret after she lost her last pregnancy due to much sexual activities with him.

“Suddenly in 2018, Niyi came home one night and told me that he received a message that he must have a seven-day marathon sex with me without a gap of any day.

“I read no meaning to it and I allowed him until there was a problem.

“I was already carrying a three month-old pregnancy before that time and on the second day of the marathon sex, I lost the pregnancy.

“I took care of myself in the hospital only for Niyi to come home to start requesting for the continuation of the seven-day marathon sex even when I was still bleeding.

“Then, I consulted my parents and relatives and from every indication, we discovered that he was trying to use me for money ritual, ”Basirat said.

Her husband, Niyi in his defense said his wife was too troublesome for him and was a careless housewife.

“Even if this court would dissolve my marriage, I pray to be given custody of the two children because Basirat cannot take care of them.

“One of the young boys in our neighbourhood raped our first child and she did not tell me about the incident.

“My Lord, it was because she often overstay in the market that such a thing could happen,” Niyi added.

Delivering judgment, the President of the court, Chief Ademola Odunade said that the court would not watch until there was anarchy before making the right decision.

Odunade, therefore, dissolved the union between Basirat and Niyi in the interest of peace and tranquility.

He awarded custody of the two children produced by the union to the plaintiff and ordered the respondent to pay N10, 000 as the children’s monthly feeding allowance, NAN reports.

Source: Court dissolves 10-year-old marriage over alleged money ritual