Although the following article dates from early this year (January 30), its contents warrants presentation here.
Nigeria is notoriously known for its ritual murders, locally called ‘money rituals’, and I’ve included many news reports on ritual murder cases on this site. Nevertheless, the following is worth reading.
What makes the article even more harrowing is the, presumably, big gap between reported ritual murders and actual ritualistic murders. In Nigeria as well as elsewhere on the African continent, an unknown but significant number of people disappear without trace every year.
Warning: the following article may disturb readers because of its graphic contents. (FVDK)
Nigeria records 150 ritual killings in 6 months, experts call for urgent action
Kaduna, Kano, Katsina residents seek death sentence for ritualists, cannibals
Published: January 30, 2025 By: Pulse, Nigeria
NAN reports that the police have apprehended many of the ritualists including a man who killed his mother, grandmother, sister and her son in Enugu.
A security expert, Mr Seyi Babaeko has raised concerns over the surge in ritual killings in the country, calling for urgent measures to address the trend.
Babaeko, the Managing Director of Absolute Security and Advance Protocol Ltd. expressed his feelings in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that over 150 ritual killing cases were recorded in Nigeria in the past six months.
NAN reports that the police have apprehended many of the ritualists including a man who killed his mother, grandmother, sister and her son on November 27 in the Amaeze community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The Ogun Police also apprehended twin brothers for alleged murder and dismembering of a lady after luring her to their Abeokuta residence on December 22.
Similarly, a local church operator allegedly killed a 55-year-old widow on November 6, in her apartment at Umuediabali community in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo. He cut off her private organs and her breasts.
Also, the police apprehended a man, 29, who killed his mother on Christmas Day, shaved her hair and dumped her body in a well in Batriko, Eastern Boki LGA of Cross River State.
According to Babaeko, the rise in ritual killings in Nigeria is a disturbing trend that reflects deeper socio-economic, cultural, and security challenges.
He said that the growing desperation for wealth, widespread belief in supernatural influences on success, and the erosion of moral values had fueled the menace.
Economic hardship, high unemployment rates, and the glamorisation of sudden wealth in society have pushed many, especially young people into desperate and criminal actions.
The responsibility for the increase is multifaceted. While individuals who perpetrate these crimes are primarily to blame, societal values and institutional failures also contribute
According to him, the media, particularly social media, often amplifies stories of young people acquiring wealth mysteriously, indirectly encouraging others to seek similar paths.
The expert said that some traditional and religious leaders, who should condemn such acts, remain silent or complicit.
He said that the law enforcement agencies, which should deter such crimes through swift investigations and punishments, had not been proactive enough in tackling the issue.
The failure of law enforcement to track and punish offenders effectively contributes to the increase, he added.
He urged the government to take urgent steps to address the growing insecurity.
Expert raises concern over rising cases of ritual killings in Nigeria.
The government should strengthen the criminal justice system to ensure swift prosecution of offenders is critical. He stated;
Security agencies must intensify intelligence gathering and surveillance to dismantle networks involved in ritual killings.
Public enlightenment campaigns should be launched to counter the belief that human sacrifice leads to wealth.
Additionally, economic policies should prioritise job creation, as financial stability will reduce the desperation that drives some individuals toward such crimes
According to him, a coordinated effort among stakeholders is necessary to curb the menace and restore security across the country. He noted;
Community and religious leaders must play a more active role in addressing the root causes of ritual killings.
Traditional institutions should publicly denounce these practices, while faith-based organisations should emphasise ethical means of achieving success.
Schools must incorporate moral education into their curricula to instil strong values in young people.
Parents also have a role to play in guiding their children away from negative influences.
Tackling ritual killings requires a holistic approach that combines strong law enforcement, economic empowerment, community engagement, and a reorientation of societal values.
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.
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.
Warning: the following post and related articles contain graphic details which may upset readers.
On previous occasions I have stated here that the numbers of abductions and murders for ritual motives are running sky-high in Nigeria, not to speak of missing persons leaving no trace. Having a brief look at the contents of this site since I started it in 2018, one is tempted to say that this West African country is well covered but by far I do not report all recorded cases of ritualistic murders in Africa’s most populated country (over 225 million inhabitants in 2024).
The list is too long to continue. Each day new ritual killing cases are unearthed, sometimes literally.
Given this background, the article below is not surprising and the reader will not be surprised that I fully support the author’s view: that greed is a basic ingredient and motive for ritualistic violence.
However, after having read the article I remain with two – related – unanswered questions.
Why is it that superstition is so widespread in Nigeria? Ritual murders and the harvesting of organs, other body parts, in short, ‘money rituals’, are carried out – by ‘ordinary criminals’ as well as by ‘ordinary citizens’ – because it is believed that ritual murders can make people rich or famous. Why is it that the belief in ‘juju’, the power of the supernatural, is so persistent? (webmaster FVDK)
it is believed that ritual killings can make people rich
When wealth demands blood: The horror of ritual killings in Nigeria
Published: March 13, 2025 By: Kelly Odaro – The Nigerian Observer
Amidst Nigeria’s economic quagmire, a more sinister affliction festers — ritual killings. This grotesque practice, once whispered in hushed tones and relegated to the annals of folklore, has metamorphosed into an alarming commonplace reality.
The nation wakes up to a grim litany of media headlines detailing the heinous acts of individuals who, in their insatiable pursuit of material prosperity, desecrate human life with blood ritual. The moral fabric of our society is unravelling at an alarming pace, frayed by an unsettling obsession with overnight wealth.
The recent gruesome murder in the Evbuotubu community of Benin City, where a young man’s head was severed, has once again spotlighted the disturbing prevalence of ritual killings in the region. This heinous act is not an isolated incident but part of a growing pattern of bloodshed fuelled by a dangerous obsession with instant wealth and power.
Ritual killings, often driven by superstitious beliefs and occult practices, have persisted in many parts of Nigeria despite modernisation and law enforcement efforts. In Benin City, several cases have been reported over the years, each more chilling than the last. Many of the unsuspecting victims are young men and women, often lured, kidnapped, and gruesomely murdered in rituals meant to bring fortune to perpetrators.
In past years, there have been numerous reports of mutilated bodies discovered in forests, abandoned buildings, or shallow graves, their organs harvested for money-making rituals. In
2020, a similar case rocked the Otuo community in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State where three young men and a woman were set ablaze by a mob for allegedly beheading a secondary school student in a suspected ritual killing (Punch, 25 February, 2020). In 2018, four brothers allegedly unalived their grandmother for money rituals in Ohovbe quarters, Ikpoba Hill in Benin City, according to Vanguard News (January 9, 2018).
Likewise, in 2019, police uncovered a shrine where human skulls and body parts were found, indicating that ritual killings were being carried out on a large scale. More so, over twenty mummified bodies were discovered in a building in Benin City (The Guardian, August 8, 2022), and a myriad of similar incidents occurred across Nigeria.
Despite widespread condemnation, these horrific acts continue, largely because of deep-rooted societal attitudes that glorify sudden wealth without questioning its source. Many individuals with dubious riches are still celebrated, given chieftaincy titles, and honoured in religious circles simply because of their financial influence. This cultural acceptance creates an environment where desperate individuals, especially young men, resort to extreme measures to attain wealth and social status.
Addressing this crisis requires more than just police crackdowns. There must be a fundamental shift in societal values —one that prioritises ethical wealth over ill-gotten riches. Religious institutions, traditional rulers, and community leaders must take a firm stand against the glorification of questionable affluence.
The Evbuotubu incident is a grim reminder that Nigeria is still battling the scourge of ritual killings. Until society collectively condemns and rejects wealth acquired through bloodshed, such horrors will persist, leaving a trail of innocent victims in their wake.
Once upon a time, wealth in Nigerian society was synonymous with industry, resilience, and ingenuity. The elders of old (traders, craftsmen, farmers, and entrepreneurs) prided themselves on the sweat of their brows. A man’s affluence was a direct reflection of his diligence and years of toil.
Today, however, a corrosive paradigm has taken root, one that glorifies instant affluence, irrespective of the means through which it is obtained. The insidious doctrine of “making it by any means necessary” has replaced the time-honoured principle of hard work.
This paradigm shift is not accidental. It is the consequence of a deeply flawed value system where wealth, no matter how dubiously acquired, commands reverence. The very individuals who should be ostracised for their morally reprehensible conduct are, instead, venerated. This toxic culture emboldens desperate youth to explore even the most abhorrent means to attain affluence.
The most disheartening aspect of this trend is the complicity (both tacit and overt) of society’s supposed moral gatekeepers. Religious leaders, who should be the custodians of righteousness, have too often become enablers of corruption. In the grandiose edifices of faith, where the gospel of prosperity is preached with fervour, those with questionable sources of wealth are celebrated.
They are given front-row seats, called upon for prayers, and sometimes elevated to positions of religious leadership, all because their ill-gotten wealth fuels the construction of mega worship centres.
Traditional rulers, the custodians of Nigeria’s cultural ethos, are equally culpable. The hallowed institution of chieftaincy, once reserved for men of impeccable character, has been commercialised. Titles that once symbolised honour are now available to the highest bidder. The affluent, irrespective of their moral standing, are conferred with chieftaincy titles in elaborate ceremonies attended by society’s crème de la crème.
In many instances, these so-called ‘chiefs’ are known for their nefarious dealings, yet they are paraded as paragons of success.
The elite, politicians, and corporate magnates are not innocent either. Many continue to patronise, endorse, and associate with individuals whose wealth bears the stench of blood money. By doing so, they lend credibility to criminality and normalise the abnormal. When men who are rumoured to have amassed their fortunes through dark means are invited to state functions, given government contracts, or honoured in grand events, the message to the struggling youth is clear — wealth, regardless of its origin, is the ultimate measure of success.
The media, which should serve as society’s watchdog, is often a double-edged sword. While some journalists and media houses expose the nefarious activities of ritual killers, others glorify the very individuals whose sources of wealth are dubious. The extravagant lifestyles of these questionable figures are routinely splashed across the pages of newspapers, magazines, television, and online platforms, painting them as role models rather than cautionary tales.
Reality television, social media influencers, and music videos further exacerbate the problem by promoting a culture of ostentation. Young people, bombarded with images of expensive cars, lavish mansions, and extravagant vacations, begin to equate self-worth with material possessions. Those who lack the patience for legitimate wealth creation resort to criminality, with some taking the ultimate plunge into the dark world of ritual killings.
At the core of ritual killings is the utter dehumanization of victims. The perpetrators, in their frenzied pursuit of wealth, strip their victims of all humanity, reducing them to mere commodities for sacrifice. The gruesome nature of these killings — dismembered bodies, missing vital organs, and ritualistic symbols points to an eerie level of barbarism that should have no place in civilised society.
Many victims are unsuspecting individuals. Children are lured with sweets or money, young women deceived by fake lovers, and travellers waylaid by ritual syndicates. The lack of stringent security measures, poor law enforcement, and a failing judicial system embolden these criminals, who often evade justice or buy their way out of prosecution.
One of the greatest tragedies of Nigeria’s legal system is its failure to serve as a deterrent to ritual killers. Reports of arrests are frequent, but convictions are rare. The wheels of justice turn at a sluggish pace, and in many cases, perpetrators with financial clout secure their freedom.
Corruption within the police force further compounds the problem. Cases of ritual killings are sometimes swept under the carpet in exchange for bribes, leaving families of victims without closure. Even when cases proceed to court, the judiciary’s lethargy allows them to drag on indefinitely, creating a loophole for criminals to manoeuvre their way back into society.
If Nigeria is to rid itself of the scourge of ritual killings, a fundamental societal reorientation is imperative. The following measures must be taken:
Schools must incorporate value-based education that emphasises the dignity of labour and the dangers of illicit wealth.
The youth must be taught that wealth, when pursued through righteous means, is more fulfilling and sustainable; religious leaders must take an uncompromising stance against those who amass wealth through dubious means. Places of worship should cease to be sanctuaries for financial criminals.
Besides, traditional rulers should uphold the sanctity of their institutions by ensuring that only men and women of impeccable character are honoured – chieftaincy titles must not be ‘commoditised.’
More so, the media as watchdog of the society must prioritise investigative journalism that exposes ritual killers rather than glorify ostentatious lifestyles. Content creators should promote positive role models rather than individuals with questionable affluence.
Again, the police and judiciary must be restructured to ensure that ritual killers are swiftly apprehended, tried, and convicted.
There must be no sacred cows; the law must take its course without favouritism.
Moreover, citizens must become more vigilant and report suspicious activities. Neighbourhood watch groups should be empowered to work with security agencies in identifying and apprehending suspected ritualists.
Ritual killings in Nigeria are symptomatic of a deeper societal malaise — a value system that places wealth above humanity. The tragedy is not merely in the blood spilt but in the indifference with which society treats this growing menace. If the nation does not recalibrate its moral compass, the ritualistic shedding of human blood will continue unchecked, and our collective humanity will be the ultimate casualty.
Ritual killers are on the prowl, preying on unsuspecting victims across the country. These criminals lurk in both rural and urban areas, taking advantage of isolated locations, late hours, and unsuspecting individuals.
Parents and guardians must take proactive measures to safeguard their children and wards from falling victim to these nefarious acts. Educating young people about the dangers of accepting rides from strangers, wandering off alone, or engaging with unknown individuals is crucial. Additionally, people must exercise caution in their daily movements, ensuring they avoid desolate areas, especially at night.
Men and women alike must remain vigilant and prioritise personal safety. Walking alone on lonely paths or deserted streets, particularly in poorly lit areas, increases the risk of being targeted. Instead, people should move in groups whenever possible and be mindful of their surroundings. Until then, everyone must stay alert because in a society where ritual killers operate with impunity, personal vigilance is the first line of defence.
Let those who have ears listen and let those in positions of influence act. Posterity will not forgive a society that sacrifices its own on the altar of unbridled greed.
Odaro, a columnist, lectures in the Department of Mass Communication, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi.
Leo Igwe is a famous Nigerian, human rights activist, an indefatigable fighter against superstition, witchcraft and ritualistic murders. In 2020 he started Advocacy for Alleged Witches. On numerous occasions I have praised him on this site for his valuable work fighting superstition, witchcraft and ritualistic violence and helping and supporting the victims of witchcraft and superstition.
The year 2025 is only a few days old, yet Leo Igwe is again at the forefront of the fight against ritualistic attacks and murders, ‘money rituals’, notably in his home country with the following chilling account of an attempt to kidnap a young lady, a university student, who narrowly escaped a violent death.
I have repeatedly stated on this site that Nigeria may be the African country with the highest incidence of ritualistic crimes. Africa’s largest country needs more people like Leo Igwe to help eradicate superstition, witchcraft and violent ritualistic behavior.
There is no place for these outdated practices which violate the human rights of the Nigerian people and make a mockery of the rule of law in Nigeria. (webmaster FVDK)
Ritualists on Rampage in Delta State capital Asaba
Published: January 4, 2025 By: Leo Igwe – New Times, Nigeria
I’m afraid that ‘money rituals’ may be a daily practice in Nigeria, with over 225 million people Africa’s most populated country. ‘Money rituals’ imply ‘organ harvesting’ – an expression I detest – and belong to the horrible category of ritualistic killings or murders as their ‘raison d’être’ is superstition in combination with greed – material greed or physical wellbeing.
We will never know precisely how many victims die each and every day from the effect of ‘money rituals’ in Nigeria but surely there are many. (Please see my December 15 post citing a recent research reporting 185 ritual-related deaths between January 2021 and January 2022.) Most ritual murderers get away with their heinous crimes. Only a small number of alleged ritualistic killers is brought to justice.
In Enugu State, 21-year old Anaegbuachara is a would-be ritualistic killer.
Influenced by a friend and acting upon instructions of a native doctor from Kogi State, he attempted to kill his mother for ritualistic purposes, However, by accident, he ended up poisoning a number of his relatives including his grandmother, his sister and her two children. Read the details below. (webmaster FVDK).
Enugu man arrested for killing family members in botched ‘money ritual’
Published: November 30, 2024 By: Mister Jay Wonder – GistMania, Nigeria
A young man, identified as Anaegbuachara, has been arrested in Enugu State for allegedly murdering his mother, grandmother, sister, and her son in a failed money ritual. The tragic incident took place in the Amaeze community of Nsukka Local Government Area.
According to police reports, Anaegbuachara was influenced by a friend, known as ‘Morocco,’ who allegedly connected him with a native doctor from Kogi State. The doctor, based in Nsukka, instructed the suspect to poison and sacrifice his mother as part of a ritual to acquire wealth.
However, in a twist of fate, Anaegbuachara’s grandmother, sister, and her two children visited the family home and unknowingly consumed the poisoned food. Tragically, they fell ill, and while the suspect’s sister’s son did not survive, he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Anaegbuachara was quickly apprehended and paraded by enraged community members. In a public display of remorse, he was forced to kneel beside his mother’s tomb and beg for her forgiveness.
The suspect is currently in police custody, as investigations continue into the horrific crime.
WARNING: The following post and articles contain graphic contents which may upset readers(webmaster FVDK)
The horrifying murder of a 4-year old by a 16-year old teenager in Lagos, Nigeria, has been in the news all over the African continent and elsewhere. I won’t dwell on it right now. Below I will provide a few links to articles covering the heartbreaking news.
Leo Igwe is a renown human activists who has denounced witchcraft practices and ritual related violence including murders on many occasions and I have on more than occasion drawn attention to his commendable activities. See my October 25, 2021 post.
For now I will stop. This case makes me too sad to continue. Since the crime is so repulsive I have decided not to publish the photo which accompanies the article below in its original publication and which has been included in many articles covering the same news. The following screenshot of a tweet captures the main story.
Below the reaction of Dr. Leo Igwe. (webmaster FVDK)
Ritual Killing By 16-Year-Old Indicates Moral and Educational Failures – By Leo Igwe
Dr. Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches.
The Advocacy for Alleged Witches warns the public to be vigilant at this time and to resist any temptation to indulge in money-making rituals, or to go in search of human body parts. It is a fact, as this case shows, that people attack and murder others for ritual purposes. It is a fact that people procure human body parts for rituals. It is a fact that people indulge in some money ritual sacrifice of human body parts. However, there is no evidence that these sacrifices yield money or wealth as popularly believed and often portrayed in movies such as Nollywood films or African magic.
Published: September 17, 2024 By: Leo Igwe – Opinion Nigeria
The attention of the Advocacy for Alleged Witches has been drawn to a horrifying case of ritual attack and murder in Lagos, Nigeria. This incident involves a 16-year-old teenager, Azeez Tajudeen, who lives in the Ijanikin area in Lagos. Tajudeen lured a 4-year-old child, named Ibrahim to a nearby primary school and murdered him. He stabbed and strangled the child to death. He removed the intestines, kidneys, and private organs. Tajudeen said that a man named Osho asked him to get him some human parts and promised to pay him fifty thousand naira(thirty dollars) for the service.
The Advocacy for Alleged Witches is outraged over the gruesome killing of this child and other instances of ritual attacks and bloodletting in the country. AfAW is aware of another case of ritual murder of a girl by the supposed boyfriend in another part of the country. These cases of ritual attack and killing are a clear demonstration of moral and educational failures. Skeptically oriented Nigerians must rise to the challenge of reorienting the public and promoting reason and scientific thinking.
At a time when Nigeria is going through an unprecedented economic crisis that has led to multidimensional poverty, stress and distress, despair, hunger, and uncertainties, one expects an increase in cases of ritual attacks. Many people are vulnerable; they could easily be lured to engage in ritual sacrifice and to explore purported ritual means of making money. More people are likely to embrace ritual money-making narratives or consult ritualists for some help. Ritualists and other self-acclaimed occultists will tell seekers of ritual money to go in search of human body parts.
As in this case, those who cannot get the human parts would commission others to do so on their behalf. Some people are inclined to accept such assignments and undertake to attack and murder others in the quest to make some income.
The Advocacy for Alleged Witches warns the public to be vigilant at this time and to resist any temptation to indulge in money-making rituals, or to go in search of human body parts. It is a fact, as this case shows, that people attack and murder others for ritual purposes. It is a fact that people procure human body parts for rituals. It is a fact that people indulge in some money ritual sacrifice of human body parts. However, there is no evidence that these sacrifices yield money or wealth as popularly believed and often portrayed in movies such as Nollywood films or African magic.
Ritual money or wealth is fiction and has no basis in reason, science or reality. As this case has illustrated, there is an urgent need to reeducate and reorient children and youths in the country. Superstition is destroying the moral fiber of the society. And it is the responsibility of this generation of Nigerians and Africans to end ritual attacks and sacrifice. Young people are often the victims and the perpetrators because they are socialized to believe that ritual money is real. Unfortunately, it is not. At home and in schools, children and youths are taught and told about the ritual processes of achieving success. They are made to think that ritual wealth is a fact. Hence, some youths are motivated to indulge in vicious attacks and murder other human beings, including their parents and relatives. Nigerian authorities need to encourage critical thinking in schools and society. They should get students to question and examine ritual money narratives and associated superstitions. Nigeria needs to execute an intense public education and enlightenment campaign and get the public to abandon ritual money beliefs and embrace critical thinking and science-based means of making money and acquiring wealth.
Below I present a cry for justice and an urgent appeal voiced by the Editorial Board of the Nigerian Tribune, a leading Nigerian newspaper, to stop the nefarious trade in human parts, related organ harvesting and inhumane criminal activities commonly referred to as ‘money rituals’ in Africa’s most populous country. The authors of the Editorial call for immediate government action to stop these heinous practices and to apprehend and punish the culprits.
Previous posts on the present site related to the widespread occurrence of ‘money rituals’ in Nigeria underscore the importance of this cry for justice and urgent appeal to the highest Nigerian authorities to take immediate action. (FVDK).
That human skulls merchant
Published: June 19, 2024 By: Editorial – The Nigerian Tribune
IT seems that the criminals who trade in human flesh are intent on continuing their ruinous trade even in the face of social disapproval, and will never mend. That is why they must always be subjected to the wrath of the law. Hardly does a month go by without some story about ritual killing or related activities in the country. Just last week, one Yusuf Adinoyi, a suspected ritualist, was arrested with eight human skulls by security agents at Isua Akoko, in the Akoko South-East LGA of Ondo State. Adenoyin, 37, was arrested at one of the checkpoints between the Isua and Epinmi in a Nissan car en route Akure to Osogbo. He was in a vehicle with four other passengers when the personnel attached to the Police Safer Highway Patrol intercepted them on the road.
The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, confirmed the suspect’s arrest in a statement. According to him: “Upon interrogation, Adinoyi, 37, confessed to being the owner of the skulls and explained that he was delivering them to a herbalist named Opeifa in the Oke-Onitea area of Osogbo. He equally mentioned other customers he usually supplies human skulls to include one Almonso, who lives at Oke-Onitea, Osogbo, Alfaa Agba who lives at Oke Onitea, and also Oshoyemi who resides around the Oja Oba area. The suspect further confessed that the human skulls were usually handed over to him by one Imaila living at Oboroke in Okene, and that each head is sold for between N30,000 and N35,000.” The police chief added that the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) unit in Akure with his case file for further investigations.
It is a shame that some people not only violate the dead, other people’s treasured bodies and memories, but also kill people to harvest their organs for sale, treating them like cattle. In most cases, these dead bodies are used in demonic money-making rituals, but the absurdity of the trade and practice is underlined by the fact that to date, no one has come out to tell the Nigerian public that he is a ritualist, as the traders in human flesh are called. The government must deploy every asset at its disposal, including public enlightenment campaigns, against this pernicious trade which casts the country and its people in extremely bad light. This nonsense must stop. As we have said it many times, no ritualist is on Forbes’ list of billionaires. The wealthiest people in this world have legitimate businesses; they saw a need, keyed into it, and provided services to meet that need, reaping bountiful rewards from their investment in social research. The idea that dead human flesh could somehow conjure certain spirits that will bring wealth to those subscribed to such dark practices is not only absurd but patently illogical. Are the spirits alleged to be behind such practices supposed to replace government mints, printing money from their mystical spaces and modelling them after the national currency, or do they steal other people’s money from the vault of banks, perhaps even the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), then bring such monies to those who have summoned them? Even if such a practice was real, which is vehemently denied, how does it square with the ancient, timeless wisdom that hard work—legitimate, socially sanctioned labour— is the route to wealth?
It is no coincidence that the apprehended ritualists easily show themselves to be extremely selfish, nihilistic and narcissistic. For instance, the suspect in the current story was reported to have claimed that he sold skulls in order to cater to his mother’s health. But this is a lame excuse if it even qualifies as one. Just how do you divest other people of their body parts in order to make your own mother keep hers in good shape? If every Nigerian whose mother took ill decided on his own course of action, how would the society look? Was engaging in crime the only route to addressing his mother’s health challenge? How about engaging in honest, decent labour? And now that he is in the clutches of the law, how will he ensure his mother’s wellbeing?
Yusuf’s arrest confirms, yet again, the prevalence of ritualistic engagements across the country as the platform for wealth enhancement as if killing people had ever resulted in real riches. The society has a lot of work to do to dissuade people from this unfortunate and ridiculous mindset that could only have resulted from the perversions attributable to poverty in the land. Wealth, we reiterate, ordinarily comes from productive engagements, hardwork and commitment and not the infantile engagement with occult manipulations. Given that this unfortunate engagement with rituals often comes with the sadistic killing of other human beings, there is a crucial need to strengthen the capacity of the government to apprehend those involved for necessary and appropriate punishment. In the present instance, that would include conducting thorough investigations to expose all those associated with Adinoyi in the nefarious business and ensuring that they are all adequately punished in accordance with the laws of the land.
Nigeria has an immense security problem. Boko Haram and other terrorists, armed criminal groups, bandits, kidnappers, communal clashes, political killings and – last but not least – ritual and cult-related murders terrorize the population of this West African country.
When President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29 last year he promised to end or reduce the insecurity in Africa’s most populated country (an estimated 225 million people in 2023). One year later we have a quick look at some data. The result is frightening.
On this site I focus on murders for ritual purposes, therefor I will skip the other atrocities here (though mentioned in the article below). In 2023 there were reportedly 166 people murdered in ritual and cult-related killings in the South West. Presumably the author of the article, Jeph Ajobaju, refers here to the South West geopolitical zone.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is divided into six geopolitical zones commonly called zones.
The six geopolitical zones of Nigeria
The South West geopolitical zone consists of of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States (6 out of Nigeria’s 36 states) with an estimated combined population of about 50 million people (2023).
Based on Ajobaju’s information that in the South West in 2023 166 persons died as a result of ritual and cult related killings, I estimate that in Nigeria at least one person a day dies as a result of ‘money rituals’, murder for ritual purposes. And this is a conservative estimate. (FVDK)
Insecurity rubbishes Tinubu’s inaugural speech to spew mass atrocities
Published: June 3, 2024 By: Jeph Ajobaju – The Niche, Nigeria
Bola Tinubu marked one year in office on May 29 as President against the backdrop of major concerns over insecurity he promised to end or reduce during the hustings last year.
Historical data plus new reports of abductions, kidnappings, and attacks show terrorists’ invasions persist despite more money being poured into security architecture.
Abuja in 2020 deployed technology to track and close the bank accounts of peaceful EndSars protesters who did not commit a fraction of the atrocities terrorists have inflicted on citizens, but it fails to also use the same apparatus to track and prosecute kidnappers.
Tinubu promised in his inaugural speech that “security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.”
However, data from various tracking institutions shows an upsurge in mass killings by criminals as well as other forms of criminal conduct.
All demographics – old, young rich, and poor – live in fear of non-state actors who perpetrate violence on a large scale.
Fatalities
Daily Post writes that verified media reports and confirmation from security agencies show up to 500 people and counting have been kidnapped in mass abductions in the North so far in 2024.
February 2024
Up to 200 women and children were kidnapped from an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Gamboru Ngala in Borno.
March 2024
287 schoolchildren were snatched by bandits in Chikun in Kaduna.
Some 15 children were taken from a Tsangaya school in Sokoto.
61 people were kidnapped by gunmen in Kajuru in Kaduna.
November 2023
Coordinated attacks by armed groups saw the kidnapping of 150 people from four villages in Zamfara.
December 2023
At least 190 people were killed and over 300 injured between 23 and 25 December in attacks on at least 20 communities in remote parts of Plateau.
North West
Armed Conflict Location & Events Data (ACLED) also found between 2019 and 2023, the North West witnessed 662 kidnapping-related incidents.
South East
The South East recorded 533 insecurity-related incidents in 2023, according to ACLED, with over 224 people killed by gunmen between January and May 2023.
South West
Media reports show 166 people were murdered in ritual and cult-related killings in the South West
Global Rights through its on-site tracking, recorded more than 6,945 mass atrocities across the country in the first 11 months of Tinubu’s tenure.
May 2023-April 2024
Between 29 May 2023 and 23 April 2024, Global Rights found 3,707 killings and 3,238 abductions.
A minimum 4,416 innocent civilians were killed along with 262 security personnel.
Zamfara led the numbers – mainly abductions – at 636 in 2023, followed by Plateau with 627 killings.
Figures compiled by Global Rights
A recent report by Global Rights said in 2023 alone
1,781 people were killed by bandits
637 by ISWAP or Boko Haram
524 died in communal clashes
475 died in herdsmen attacks
118 were murdered through political killings
Figures collated by Nigeria Mourns
2,423 killings between 29 May 2023 and 26 January 2024
1,872 abductions in the same period
‘‘Global Right’s data is what we call the minimum. If you look at the various data from SBM Intelligence, from Data 5, from Nestia, and others, you will see similarities,” explained Global Rights Programme Manager Edosa Oviawe,
“It just shows that even though we are all doing it independently, we are reporting the same issues. We have backup documents for all of these.
“We are not just putting out numbers, we have the locations, we have the names of victims.”
Oviawe warned the efforts of the government may never be appreciated until it tackles insecurity.
“Doing other things, the economy and the rest are good, but security is paramount.
”If the people are dying and are being killed, every other thing you are doing makes no sense for Nigerians.
“If a man cannot live in safety, if he doesn’t have that assurance that as he steps out of his house, he is not going to become one of the numbers we are counting, then every other thing you are putting together as a government makes no meaning.’’
The criminal nature of ritualistic killings goes without saying. Ritual killings are a crime and ritual killers are liable to prosecution. People who kill other people for ritual purposes usually do it for specific reasons related to their personal situation: to gain (more) power, prestige or wealth. The ‘engine’ of their criminal behavior is a combination of greed and superstition.
However, there are also criminals who use this combination of greed and superstition of other people as an income-generating model. They specialize in murdering innocent people for the sole purpose of harvesting their organs which then are sold for ritual purposes. A gruesome crime.
This what happened in Rivers state. The police in Rivers State, a state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria, tracked a criminal syndicate that has been specializing in murdering e-hailing cab-drivers and harvesting their organs which were subsequently sold to unscrupulous individuals who wanted these organs and body parts for ritual purposes (‘money rituals’).
Unfortunately, the phenomenon of ‘money rituals’ is widespread in Africa’s most populated country, Nigeria. This is also the reason why the Federal Government recently imposeda ban on ritual killings in Nollywood movies in an attempt to curb the popularity of this phenomenon which is basically a crime based on superstition.
Rivers State, also known as Rivers, is located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The Federal Republic of Nigeria is divided into six geopolitical zones commonly called zones.
Police Burst Organ Harvesting Syndicate In Rivers, Trail Fleeing Members
Organ harvesting suspect
Published: June 2, 2024 By: Itode Akari – Independent, Nigerią
PORT HARCOURT – The Police in Rivers State have arrested a member criminal syndicate, that specialises in murdering e-hailing cab drivers and harvesting their organs for ritual purposes in the state.
The arrested suspect, a 35-year-old graduate of political science from the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, identified as Anthony Chima, confessed to have recently lured an innocent cab driver into his gang’s ambush, where the driver was waylaid before he was murdered in cold blood by the gang.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko on Sunday, stated that the suspect was arrested following an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of one e-hailing cab driver on January 10, 2024, identified as Oghenevwarhe Barry Akpobome.
According to the police, a member of the syndicate confessed to have posed as a passenger to lure the unsuspecting driver to a remote area in Aminigboko community, Abia/Odual Local Government Area of the state, where other armed gang members laid an ambush and pounced on the driver, bound him both arms and legs, gagging his mouth and eventually killing him for the purpose of harvesting his organs.
The statement reads, “In a shocking turn of events, the Rivers State Police have uncovered a disturbing criminal enterprise that has been targeting Uber drivers in the region. The investigation was sparked by the disappearance of one such driver, Oghenevwarhe Barry Akpobome, leading to the arrest and confession of 35-year-old Anthony Chima, a political science graduate from the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.
“According to Chima’s testimony, he was recruited into a gang that specialized in luring cab drivers into ambushes, stealing their vehicles, and ultimately murdering them for ritualistic purposes and organ harvesting.
“Chima revealed that he was brought into the fold by a friend, Amfoh Abu, who introduced him to the gang’s armourer, a man known as “Reason,” and the notorious ringleader, “General Effizy,” a prominent figure in the Greenland cult and a seasoned kidnapper.
“The chilling details of Akpobome’s demise emerged as Chima recounted the events of January 10, 2024. On that fateful day, he was summoned to Reason’s residence and instructed to call a driver whose number he had previously collected. Posing as a passenger, Chima then lured the unsuspecting Uber driver to a remote area in Aminigboko, where he and Reason were met by General Effizy and four armed gang members.
“The driver was forcibly removed from the vehicle and taken to Effizy’s shrine, where he was bound, gagged, and ultimately murdered. Chima’s involvement in the gruesome act was confirmed when the police, following his confession, recovered the victim’s skull and a locally fabricated Beretta pistol from Effizy’s residence.”
Iringe-Koko quoted the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu to have advised citizens of the state and drivers to be circumspect while boarding passengers to remote areas in the state.
She noted that while the police continues to trail fleeing members of the syndicate, emphasising that the case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk in the shadows, and the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the public in maintaining the safety of all citizens.
“This disturbing revelation has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Cp Tunji Disu, to advise both citizens and Uber drivers. He urged them to exercise caution when boarding or transporting passengers, especially to remote or potentially dangerous areas.
“The investigation is ongoing, with the authorities still searching for the fleeing suspects involved in this chilling criminal enterprise. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk in the shadows, and the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the public in maintaining the safety of all citizens. Meanwhile, the suspect would be charged to court immediately.”
I have a special reason for including the recent ‘noise’ in Nigerian newspapers and other news media about the Federal Government’s decision to ban smoking, ritual killings (‘money rituals’) and other harmful, indecent and/or criminal habits and practices in movies and music videos – and the subsequent denial of such a measure as well as the rationale of a ban. The at times contradictory articles are very confusing but I leave it to the reader to appreciate what really happened.
The reason for including these articles here is that it clearly shows how ‘normal’ it is to talk about ritual killings in Nigeria. It clearly demonstrates how much ‘money rituals’ are part of daily life in Nigeria. In fact, the occurrence of ritual murders in movies reflect the occurrence of ritualistic murders in daily life. A sad reality.
There was no reason to include these articles on the FG’s ban on ritual killings in movies to prove that these outdated, criminal and repulsive practices and crimes still occur in one of Africa’s most modern countries. As stated before, it is impossible to include here all reports of discovered bodies with organs or other body parts missing, and all reported cases of ‘money rituals’ in this West African country. I estimate that every day at least one ritual murder is committed in Nigeria. After all, Nigeria also is Africa’s most populated country with a population exceeding 225 million people. (webmaster FVDK)
Nigerian govt bans smoking, ritual killings in movies, music videos, skits – Published May 24, 2024 – Screenshot – To access the YouTube video, please click here
JUST IN: Tinubu Bans Money Ritual, Smoking Scenes in Nollywood Films, Gives Reason
Published: May 23, 2024 By: Esther Odili – Legit, Nigeria Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The federal government led by Bola Tinubu has announced the ban on money ritual, ritual killing and other vices in Nollywood movies.
Shaibu Husseini, the executive director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, confirmed the development at a national stakeholders’ engagement in Enugu on Wednesday.
Dr Husseini explained that the move became imperative to urgently address the ugly trend.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led federal government has approved the prohibition of money rituals and the glamorising of vices in Nigerian films.
Tinubu’s government confirmed the ban on smoking, rituals, and other negative vices in Nollywood films. Photo credit: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Source: Facebook
“To sanitise the film industry”, FG says As reported by The Punch, Shaibu Husseini, the executive director and CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), disclosed this at a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood held in Enugu on Wednesday, May 22.
Husseini lamented that the present day movie industry is facing an “industry emergency” requiring bold and ambitious actions from all parents, guardians and stakeholders, Vanguard reported. He added that the regulation to ban smoking and other crimes has been approved by Hannatu Musawa, the minister of arts, culture and the creative economy, The Cable reported.
“As you all know, the film industry occupies a central position in the entertainment and creative sector and it is imperative that we continue to place the highest premium on the progress of the film industry,” he said.
“When my predecessor approached the former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed on the need to make a subsidiary legislation to curtail the display of smoking in Nigerian movies, he saw the need to include money rituals.
“Others included in the regulation are ritual killings and glamorising other crimes to further sanitise the film industry.”
Movie producers, directors and actors drawn from different parts of the country, as well as leaders of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry were present at the event.
Kano government bans movies promoting cross-dressing In a similar development, Legit.ng reported that the Kano state government banned all movies and cinematic productions promoting thuggery and cross-dressing in the state.
This was announced in a press statement issued by the media officer of the state’s censorship board, Abdullah Sani Sulaiman. “It is high time we put a stop to this sort of films that corrupt the morals of the Kano people,” the board stated.
Kanayo O Kanayo Attacks FG Over Plans to Ban Rituals Scenes, Others in Movies: “Arrant Nonsense”
Published: May 24, 2024 By: Chinasa Afigbo – Legit, Nigeria
Nigerian actor Kanayo O. Kanayo is enraged over the latest regulations by the government to ban ritual scenes and more in Nollywood movies.
The veteran known for portraying such continuous roles dropped a message for the minster and his cohorts.
The new restriction claimed that such movie interpretations had a negative impact on teens and young adults.
Prominent Nigerian actor Kanayo O. Kanayo, aka Nnayi Sacrifice, is displeased over the government’s new laws to scrap rituals and other likely portrayals from films, music videos, and skit content.
The Executive Director/CEO of National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Shaibu Husseini, stated days ago that the Federal Government has approved the prohibition of money rituals and glamourising of vices in Nigerian films.
Husseini disclosed this while speaking at a National Stakeholders Engagement on Smoke-Free Nollywood in Enugu on Wednesday, May 22. The NFVCB boss said in part:
“When my predecessor approached the former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, about the need to make a subsidiary legislation to curtail the display of smoking in Nigerian movies, he saw the need to include money rituals. Others included in the regulation are ritual killings and glamourising other crimes to further sanitise the film industry.”
According to Husseini, in addition to the health concerns, glamorising smoking in films has a negative impact on teens and young adults, who make up the majority of Nigeria’s moviegoers. He stated that the board planned to implement extensive enlightenment campaigns in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, local communities, faith organisations, and other institutions.
Kanayo O Kanayo reacts Kanayo criticised the policy and classified it as “arrant nonsense”. He questioned Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa’s justification for imposing such restrictions on filmmakers and mocked his tenure.
“Arrant NONSENSE. This Minister has no work, just like Liar Mohammed.”
I Didn’t Pronounce Ban on Smoking and Ritual Scenes in Movies – Shaibu Husseini
Published: May 24, 2024 By: Thandiubani – tori.ng
The event was organised by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).
Executive director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Shaibu Husseini has denied reports that the Federal Government has placed a ban on money rituals and smoking in Nigerian films and skits.
Clarifying the report, Husseini while speaking at a national stakeholders engagement on smoke-free Nollywood in Enugu on Wednesday, debunked the viral report.
The event was organised by the NFVCB and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).
Movie producers, directors and actors drawn from different parts of the country, as well as leaders of various guilds and associations in the Nigerian film industry were present at the event.
However, in a statement on Thursday released on social media, Husseini said in part:
“I did NOT announce a ban on ‘smoking, or smoking, and ritual scenes in movies’ at the (southeast zone) stakeholders engagement on a healthy screen and the campaign to have a smoke free Nollywood which held in Enugu in collaboration with @CAPPAfrica. No, I did NOT.
“What I mentioned in a speech that I have shared here is the existence of a regulation (NFVCB Regulations 2024) that in line with global best practices prohibits the PROMOTION and GLAMOURISATION of Money Ritual, Ritual Killing, Tobacco, Tobacco product, Nicotine products in movies, musical videos and skits. The regulation aims at discouraging the ‘unnecessary’ depiction, promotion, advertisement, or glamourisation of tobacco or nicotine products in movies, musical videos, and skits.”
Husseini assured that the NFVCB would not implement any policy that will muzzle creativity. He added:
“Any movie, skit, or musical video that displays or depicts tobacco or nicotine products, brands, or use that is necessary to the realization of a narrative shall be given the appropriate classification (rating) and shall not be shown to persons below the age of 18.”
