Reports of ritualistic murder are rare in Senegal, but this doesn’t mean that this ugly practice does not exist in this West African, predominantly Muslim country. Moreover, reportedly there seems to be a relation between unexplained disappearances notably of small children, ritualistic murders and elections – see e.g. my May 12, 2018 post ‘Archbishop condemns ritual killing of children in Senegal‘.

A 5-year old girl in the Kanda Fodé Bayo neighborhood of Kahone, in the Kaolack region, was found brutally murdered – the poor girl was beheaded – and suspicion arose quickly that the suspected perpetrator had committed the crime for ritualistic purposes.

Read the full story below.

Warning: This article contains graphic details of murder that some readers may find distressing
(webmaster FVDK)

Girl decapitated: investigators favor the ritual murder theory

Published: February 21, 2026
By: Senewebnews-RP

The investigation into the brutal murder of a 5-year-old girl in the Kanda Fodé Bayo neighborhood of Kahone, in the Kaolack region, is progressing. The suspect, L. Sall (30 years old), who has been staying with the victim’s family for the past two weeks, is still being questioned by investigators. According to information obtained by Libération, his custody is expected to be extended until Monday to allow the Kaolack gendarmerie to fully understand the circumstances of this extremely violent act.

A chilling modus operandi

On the night of February 17-18, Libération recounts, the suspect abducted the little girl while she slept alongside her sisters. He took her to a construction site 200 meters from their home before committing the act. After removing the child’s earrings and protective charm, he undressed her and then coldly decapitated her. The murderer then attempted to open the victim’s ribcage to extract her heart, a gruesome detail that reinforces the theory of a ritualistic crime, according to the same source.

The suspect’s contradictory accounts

When questioned by investigators, Lamine Sall offered several conflicting accounts. As reported by the newspaper, he initially claimed the attack was an act of revenge stemming from a dispute with the girl’s parents, a theory categorically denied by those close to him. He then asserted that he acted in a fit of rage, thinking of a former partner living in Dakar who shared the same first name as the victim. Finally, cornered, he went so far as to blame his own father, accusing him of failing to provide him with a “proper upbringing.”

The ritual crime theory is being given priority.

Several clues rule out the theory of dementia or an uncontrolled impulse. “Lamine Sall was completely lucid at the time of his act.” Furthermore, the observed absence of sexual abuse definitively points the investigation toward a mystical or sacrificial motive, supported by the removal of ritual objects (gris-gris) before the killing, the newspaper reports.

Auteur: SenewebNews-RP
Publié le: Samedi 21 Février 2026

Source: Girl decapitated: investigators favor the ritual murder theory

Girl beheaded in Kahone: the murder weapon bought for 1500 FCFA and the promise of the “Djinn”

Published: February 25, 2026
By: SenewebNews-RP

L. Sall, 30, is now the subject of a judicial investigation for kidnapping, murder, and acts of barbarity in the case of 5-year-old D. Sow, who was beheaded in Kahone. According to Libération, which broke the story, the investigation conducted by the Kaolack territorial brigade revealed a chilling premeditation. As reported by the newspaper, the accused admitted to buying the murder weapon, a knife, the day before the crime at the Kaolack market for 1,500 CFA francs. He then abducted the girl from his own uncle’s home and slit her throat in an isolated building.

The ritual crime theory is being given priority.

Several elements are leading investigators toward this theory, the newspaper reports. The accused claims that a djinn promised him wealth and marriage in a dream if he sacrificed the little girl. He also admitted to recently visiting a marabout (a Muslim religious leader) to seek prayers to find a wife. Furthermore, the day before the tragedy, he was seen by the victim’s mother at the crime scene “talking at length on the phone.” Sall claims to have discussed agriculture “with a relative living in Vélin-gara,” but this has not convinced investigators.

A profile of a violent repeat offender

The investigation also shed light on the suspect’s dark past. Before taking refuge in Kahone, he lived in Dakar (Bène Baraque) where he had attempted to rape his neighbor, D. Sall. After failing, he stabbed her while she was performing her ablutions for dawn prayer, before fleeing to escape mob justice, the same source added.

Auteur: Senewebnews-RP
Publié le: Mercredi 25 Février 2026

Source: Girl beheaded in Kahone: the murder weapon bought for 1500 FCFA and the promise of the “Djinn”

A few days ago I posted an article on the ritual murder of Gracia Prunelle, a young girl in Benin. Knowing that it was not the first ritualistic murder in Benin’s contemporary history (see my previous postings on this site), I went browsing on the internet and came across this article describing an upsurge in ritual killing and ritualistic acts in this West Africa in 2018. The author concludes her article with an alarming cry: despite the increase of these heinous acts, inspired by superstition, the authorities remain silent…. One wonders why….

For the convenience of readers who do not understand Frenchch, a brief summary in English follows here. The translation is the sole responsibility of this site’s webmaster who does not claim to present an exact and precise translation of the VOA article which is subsequently presented in is original version.

Summary:

“An increase in the number of ritual murders terrifies Benin. Missing people have been found in deserted houses and in the forest, sometimes they have vanished, ‘never heard of again’. Behind this phenomenon are witch doctors, people whisper.

A few days ago, a young girl was raped and almost murdered but she was rescued by the police. It happened near Porto Novo, the country’s capital.

The suspect’s house was searched, and police found a human skill as well as organs of some of the victims.

Joël Akondé, a journalist testifies. His brother was the victim of a ritual murder. “He was murdered in a savage and cruel way”, he stated on VOA radio (Afrique radio services). His brother was found back with his throat cut and his blood taken by his murderers.

These ritualistic crimes are committed by internet-criminals, nicknamed ‘gaymen’, who want to impress girls who subsequently become the victim of their unscrupulous assailants.

Some allege these crimes are caused by the widespread unemployment and social pressure.

The ‘keepers of tradition’ have been accused of complicity since they are the ones who teach the youth the secrets of their convent. David Coffi Aza, a well-known keeper of the tradition and Fa priest defends himself. “Voodoo cannot cure, it does not harm” he says, “it’s a neutral force.”

In view of the large scale of these atrocities the silence of the authorities is very worrisome.”, Ginette Fleure Adandé reports from Benin.

Translation by the webmaster (FVDK)

Upsurge in ritualistic crimes in Benin

Recrudescence des crimes rituels au Bénin

The community of keepers of tradition and indigenous religion in Benin (translation FVDK)
La communauté des gardiens de la tradition et de la religion endogène au Bénin, le 22 février 2018. (VOA/Ginette Fleure Adande)

Published: February 22, 2018
Publié: le 22 février 2018
By: VOA – Ginette Fleure Adandé
Par: VOA – Ginette Fleure Adandé

Recrudescence des crimes rituels au Bénin

Le Bénin connaît une montée des crimes “rituels”. Des êtres humains portés disparus sont retrouvés sans vie dans des maisons inhabitées ou dans la brousse.Parfois, ils ne réapparaissent jamais. Ce phénomène serait l’œuvre des nombreux féticheurs autoproclamés qui passent par ces sacrifices pour asseoir leur hégémonie.

Il y a quelques jours, une jeune fille violée et sur le point d’être sacrifiée a été sauvée de la mort par les forces de l’ordre. Cela s’est passé à quelques kilomètres de Porto Novo, la capitale.

“Vers 3 heures du matin, le conseil de sécurité m’a expliqué qu’une fille de 12 ans a été violée”, raconte Michel Bahou, maire de la commune.

Il a ôté la vie à bien de personnes. Au cours de la perquisition à son domicile, des crânes humains et autres organes ont été retrouvés.

Lors de son audition, il a fait des révélations comme l’explique Joël Akondé, un journaliste dont le son jeune frère a été égorgé et vidé de son sang.

“Il a été sauvagement assassiné, égorgé”, confie-t-il à VOA Afrique.

Ces crimes rituels seraient l’œuvre de cybercriminels communément appelés “gaymen”; les nouveaux modèles de réussite sociale qui se servent de leurs richesses pour attirer les jeunes filles, souvent victimes de ces morts violentes.

Le phénomène serait aussi causé par l’inégalité sociale et un chômage accru.

Devant la barbarie des meurtres, les gardiens de la tradition sont souvent montrés du doigt comme étant complices de ce dérapage; pour avoir mis dans les mains des jeunes sans scrupules les secrets de leurs couvents.

Sur la question David Coffi Aza, gardien de la tradition et prêtre du Fâ connu sous le nom géomancie, se défend.

“Aucun vaudou ne peut faire du bien ou du mal, c’est une énergie neutre”, soutient-il.

Face à l’ampleur du phénomène, le silence des autorités est inquiétant.