Category Archives: twins

Nigeria: Ogun State police parade 18 suspected criminals including two ritual killers

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Warning: the following post contains graphic details which may upset readers

Ogun State has a notorious reputation with respect to ritualistic killings (‘money rituals’). On many occasions in the past I have paid attention to the scourge of ritual related violence in this southwestern state of Nigeria.

Reportedly, there were at least15 victims of ritualistic murders in Ogun State in 2023. In January and February 2024 I published five postings on money-ritual related news – see my posts dated January 2, Ogun State Police to embark on campaign against rise in ritual murders in 2024, January 3, Commissioner of Police in Ogun State,: “Ritual killings are the most disturbing trend of criminal activity in the state” and January 11 Nigeria: Ogun State Police Chief on how to tackle ritual killing in the state. In February, Ogun State: a hotbed of ritual crimes. However, I reported here far from all ritual related crimes occurring in Ogun State, other states in Nigeria and other countries on the continent demanding attention too.

Nigeria consist of 36 states. Ogun State has a surface area of only 16,762 km2 ranking 24th. The state borders Oyo State in the north, Osun State and Ondo State in the east and Lagos State in the south. It shares its western border with the neighboring republic of Benin. With an estimated population of 6.5 million people (2024), predominantly Yoruba, Ogun State is one of the most populated states in the southwestern part of Nigeria ranking 13th nationwide. Its capital Abeokuta is the state’s most populous city (about one million).

Early January, at the start of 2025, Ogun State Police Command has paraded 18 suspected criminals for various crimes ranging from murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, and ritual killings among other crimes at different locations in the state.
(….)
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Lanre Ogunlowo noted that last month (December 2024) the command also arrested 45-year-old twins, Yemitan Taiwo and Yemitan Kehinde for allegedly killing and dismembering a female around the Lafenwa area of Abeokuta for ritual purposes. (See the last article below).

The police spokesman also used the occasion to warn against the dangers of the growing “hookup culture,” especially for young women who engage in casual relationships with unfamiliar men for financial gain. I will return to this specific topic with a special posting in the near future.

The case of the twin brothers implicated in the murder of a sex worker for ritualistic purposes is presented below in full details.
(webmaster FVDK).

Ogun State police parade 18 suspected criminals

Published: January 7, 2025
By: Oluwatoyin Adegoke – Web News, Radio Nigeria Ibadan

Ogun State Police Command has paraded 18 suspected criminals for various offences ranging from murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, and ritual killings among other crimes at different locations in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Lanre Ogunlowo while parading the suspects at the Police headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta attributed the success recorded to the provision of an Armed Personnel Carrier, and drone by Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.

Mr Ogunlowo pointed out that among those paraded included 31-year-old Tolani Jeremiah, 20-year-old Akande Suru and 24-year-old Edwin Jatto who allegedly hacked the WhatsApp account belonging to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni of State CID, Eleweran and defrauded the victim’s family and friends of the sum of one million one hundred and fifteen thousand nairas under the false pretence that the victim needed urgent financial assistance. 

He noted that the command also arrested 45-year-old twins, Yemitan Taiwo and Yemitan Kehinde for allegedly killing and dismembering a female around the Lafenwa area of Abeokuta for ritual purposes.

The Police Commissioner solicited cooperation and support in the collective effort to keep Ogun State safe and peaceful.

Mr Ogunlowo appealed to the residents of the state to provide the police with timely information to aid their efforts in preventing and addressing criminal activities.

Source: Ogun Police Parade 18 Suspected Criminals

Read also:

Ogun State Police arrest twin brother of ritualist for murder & mutilation of female victim

Published: January 1, 2025
By: Mister Jay Wonder – Gistmania, Nigeria

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested Kehinde Yemitan, the twin brother of Taiwo Yemitan, who was previously apprehended in connection with the ritualistic murder of a female victim, Darasimi. Kehinde was arrested on Monday, December 30, 2024, after a tip-off led authorities to his hiding place in the Ilogbo community.

Taiwo Yemitan, along with an accomplice, Kazeem, was arrested on Sunday, December 22, 2024, for the gruesome killing of Darasimi, a female night worker. The trio allegedly lured the victim to Taiwo’s residence, located behind Atinsola petrol station in the Sanni area of Abeokuta, where they killed her for ritual purposes. The police had previously discovered a fresh human head and dismembered body parts believed to belong to Darasimi.

According to Ogun State Police spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, Kehinde was tracked down following a report from a volunteer informant. The informant provided valuable information that led to Kehinde’s location in the Ilogbo community. The police, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, promptly launched a manhunt and apprehended him.

During questioning, Kehinde admitted to conspiring with his twin brother Taiwo and Kazeem to carry out the heinous crime. Local community members also confirmed his involvement in other criminal activities. Kehinde has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

The police have once again issued a public warning regarding the dangers of the growing “hookup culture,” especially for young women who engage in casual relationships with unfamiliar men for financial gain. SP Odutola stressed that women should seek sustainable means of income and be cautious of falling into similar dangerous situations.

In light of this tragic event, the Ogun State Police Command has intensified efforts to raise awareness about the risks young women face in such engagements. Authorities are urging caution, especially as the investigation into Kehinde’s role in the crime continues.

Further updates will be provided as the case progresses. The police have appealed to young women to view this incident as a cautionary tale and remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to similar ritual killings.

Source: Ogun Police Arrest Twin Brother of Ritualist For Murder & Mutilation Of Female Victim

Twin brothers kill, dismember sex worker in Ogun State

Published: January 1, 2025
By: James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta – Vanguard, Nigeria

Operatives of Ogun State Police command, on Tuesday, said it arrested one Kehinde Yemitan, a murder and ritualist suspect at his hiding in Ilogbo Ota community of Ogun State.

The suspect’s twin brother, Taiwo had earlier been arrested on December 22 alongside one Kazeem for the alleged murder and dismembering of one Darasimi.

The victim is a commercial sex worker, who was lured to the suspects’ Abeokuta residence and killed.

The spokesperson of the state police command, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Odutola said, “Having been fingered as one of the accomplices to the tragic crime, the police surveillance team in collaboration with the So Safe Corps were said to have been on the look out for Kehinde until intelligence gave out his hideout on Monday.

“On December 30, 2024, at about 5 p.m., the Divisional Police Officer of Sango Otta received a tip from a volunteer informant indicating that Kehinde Yemitan, the twin brother of Taiwo Yemitan, was hiding in the Ilogbo community.

“The Police launched a manhunt for Kehinde in connection with murder and the mutilation of one Darasimi, surname unknown, on the 22nd of December, 2024 when his twin brother, Taiwo, and Kazeem were arrested at about 1 p.m., by the Divisional Police Officer of Lafenwa after the duo lured their victim Darasimi, a night sex worker in Abeokuta to their house for ritual purposes.

“Following this information, a surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, promptly mobilized to the community and apprehended the suspect.

“Several community members also confirmed his involvement in criminal activities.”

Yemitian was said to have been been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

Meanwhile, Odutola has urged young women to desist from engaging in casual friendship or relationship for pecuniary gains otherwise called “hookup’, given the perennial danger inherent in such unholy relationship.

The police spokesperson urged parents to also join the police in raising awareness about the danger of getting involved in vices such as prostitution that could readily cut people’s life short.

She said, “A further appeal goes to the teeming young females to see this unfortunate incident as a big lesson and be cautious not to fall victim to another ritual killing.”

Source: Twin brothers kill, dismember sex worker in Ogun

And:

Ogun police apprehend 3 for murdering sex worker

Published: January 1, 2025
By: TSJ Reporter 2 – Street Journal, Nigeria

Officers of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested two brothers whose names are Taiwo and Kehinde Yemitan alongside a man identified as Kazeem for murdering and dismembering the remains of a sex worker identified as Darasimi in Ilogbo, Ado-Odo/Ota local government area (LGA) Ogun State.

This was revealed via a statement by the state’s police spokesperson Superintendent (SP) Omolola Odutola on Tuesday, December 31.

She noted that Darasimi was lured to the residence of Kehinde in Abeokuta, where she was killed and her body parts were dismembered.

The statement read, “Having been fingered as one of the accomplices to the tragic crime, the police surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, was on the lookout for Kehinde until intelligence revealed his hideout on Monday.

“On December 30, 2024, at about 5 p.m., the Divisional Police Officer of Sango Otta received a tip from a volunteer informant indicating that Kehinde Yemitan, the twin brother of Taiwo Yemitan, was hiding in the Ilogbo community.

“The Police launched a manhunt for Kehinde in connection with the murder and mutilation of one Darasimi, surname unknown, on the 22nd of December, 2024, when his twin brother, Taiwo, and Kazeem were arrested at about 1 p.m. by the Divisional Police Officer of Lafenwa after the duo lured their victim Darasimi, a night sex worker in Abeokuta, to their house for ritual purposes.

“Following this information, a surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, promptly mobilised the community and apprehended the suspect.”

Odutola mentioned that the suspect confessed to collaborating with others to commit the crime in Abeokuta, noting that several local residents had also verified his involvement in criminal activities.

She then stated that the suspects have been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran, Ogun State for further questioning.

The police spokesperson then urged young women to exercise caution and avoid participating in ‘hookups’ or other reckless behaviors to prevent falling victim to ritual killings and other crimes.

She also called on parents and guardians to collaborate with the police in raising awareness about the risks of prostitution.

“A further appeal goes to the teeming young females to see this unfortunate incident as a big lesson and be cautious not to fall victim to another ritual killing,” the statement concluded.

Source: Ogun police apprehend 3 for murdering sex worker

And:

Police nab twins, 1 other over murder of sex worker in Ogun State

Published: January 1, 2025
By: Remi Adebayo – Leadership, Nigeria

Two brothers, Taiwo and Kehinde Yemitan as well as one Kazeem have been apprehended by the operatives of the Ogun State Police Command over their involvement in the killing and dismembering a sex worker identified as Darasimi in Ogun State.

Kehinde was arrested in his hiding at the Ilogbo area of Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of the state after the arrest of his accomplice, Taiwo.

The commercial sex worker, Darasimi, was reported to have been lured to the suspects’ Abeokuta home, where she was killed and dismembered.

Spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday said the victim, Darasimi was lured to the residence of the suspects in Abeokuta where she was murdered and her remains dismembered.

According to the state’s police image maker, “Having been fingered as one of the accomplices to the tragic crime, the police surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, was on the lookout for Kehinde until intelligence revealed his hideout on Monday.

“On December 30, 2024, at about 5 p.m., the Divisional Police Officer of Sango Otta received a tip from a volunteer informant indicating that Kehinde Yemitan, the twin brother of Taiwo Yemitan, was hiding in the Ilogbo community.

“The Police launched a manhunt for Kehinde in connection with the murder and mutilation of one Darasimi, surname unknown, on the 22nd of December, 2024, when his twin brother, Taiwo, and Kazeem were arrested at about 1 p.m. by the Divisional Police Officer of Lafenwa after the duo lured their victim Darasimi, a night sex worker in Abeokuta, to their house for ritual purposes.

“Following this information, a surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, promptly mobilised the community and apprehended the suspect.”

Odutola, in the statement said the suspect admitted to conspiring with others to carry out the crime in Abeokuta, adding that several community members also confirmed his involvement in criminal activities.

According to the Odutola, the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, for further investigation.

The PPRO warned young women to be more cautious and desist from engaging in “hookups” and other indecent ways of life to avoid becoming victims of ritual killings and other crimes.

She further appealed to parents and guardians to join hands with the police in sensitising the public about the dangers of prostitution.

“A further appeal goes to the teeming young females to see this unfortunate incident as a big lesson and be cautious not to fall victim to another ritual killing,” she said.

Source: Police Nab Twins, 1 Other Over Murder Of Sex Worker In Ogun

And:

Ogun sex worker killed, dismembered by twin brothers

Published: January 1, 2025
By: Anthony Ufo – The Guardian

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested two brothers, Taiwo and Kehinde Yemitan, for allegedly killing and dismembering a sex worker, Darasimi, in Ogun State. 

One of the suspects, Kehinde, was arrested while hiding in the Ilogbo area of Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State. Before then, his accomplice, Taiwo, had already been arrested by the police.

The commercial sex worker, Darasimi, was reported to have been lured to the suspects’ Abeokuta home, where she was killed and dismembered. 

SP Omolola Odutola, the Ogun State Police spokesperson, made this known to the public in a statement on Tuesday. 

Odutola said, “Having been fingered as one of the accomplices to the tragic crime, the police surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, was on the lookout for Kehinde until intelligence revealed his hideout on Monday. 

“On December 30, 2024, at about 5 p.m., the Divisional Police Officer of Sango Otta received a tip from a volunteer informant indicating that Kehinde Yemitan, the twin brother of Taiwo Yemitan, was hiding in the Ilogbo community. 

“The Police launched a manhunt for Kehinde in connection with the murder and mutilation of one Darasimi, surname unknown, on the 22nd of December, 2024, when his twin brother, Taiwo, and Kazeem were arrested at about 1 p.m. by the Divisional Police Officer of Lafenwa after the duo lured their victim Darasimi, a night sex worker in Abeokuta, to their house for ritual purposes. 

“Following this information, a surveillance team, in collaboration with the So Safe Corps, promptly mobilized the community and apprehended the suspect.

“He admitted to conspiring with others to carry out the crime in Abeokuta. 

“Several community members also confirmed his involvement in criminal activities.” 

The suspects, according to the spokesperson, have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, for further investigation of the case. 

Odutola also advised young women to be more careful and desist from engaging in “hookups” and other indecent ways of life to avoid becoming victims of ritual killings and other crimes. She also appealed to parents and guardians to join hands with the police in sensitising the public about the dangers of prostitution. 

“A further appeal goes to the teeming young females to see this unfortunate incident as a big lesson and be cautious not to fall victim to another ritual killing,” she said.

Source: Ogun sex worker killed, dismembered by twin brothers

First announcement by the Ogun State police (late December 2024) confirming the arrest of Taiwo Yemitan for the unlawful possession of human body parts, including a severed head, following the brutal murder of a woman:

Ogun State police nab suspected ritualist,Taiwo Yemitan, for murder & human body parts possession

Published: December 22, 2024
By: Bolah / Mister Jay Wonder – Gist Mania, Nigeria

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old man, Taiwo Yemitan, for the unlawful possession of human body parts, including a severed head, following the brutal murder of a woman identified as Darasimi.  

Yemitan was apprehended at approximately 1:40 AM on Sunday in the Lafenwa area of Abeokuta after a tip-off from local security groups, including the Agbekoya and Vigilante operatives. The suspect is accused of luring Darasimi to his residence with the intent to kill her.  

Police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrest and provided further details in a statement. According to Odutola, Yemitan admitted to murdering Darasimi and implicated two accomplices, identified as Kehinde Yemitan and one Kazeem, who remain at large. The motive for the killing was to sell the victim’s body parts, including her head.  

Odutola further stated that the dismembered body had been taken to the State General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where it is undergoing a post-mortem examination. Yemitan is set to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation. Efforts are also underway to apprehend his accomplices and locate the victim’s relatives.  

This tragic incident follows a similar case earlier this year, where a suspect, Azeez Adebayo, confessed to the murders of three women whom he and his accomplices lured through an online dating site.  

The police spokesperson urged young women to exercise caution when using online platforms and be aware of the dangers associated with meeting strangers on social media. Odutola advised women to prioritize their safety and use social media’s positive aspects to enhance their well-being.

Source: Police Nab Suspected Ritualist,Taiwo Yemitan In Ogun For Murder & Human Body Parts Possession

Nigeria: Delta court sentences man to death for killing twins for rituals

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Warning: The following articles may upset readers because of the graphic contents (webmaster FVDK).

The surge in murders for ritualistic purposes and related witchcraft activities in certain SSA countries has led to an increasing cry for the restoration of the death penalty for convicted ritual killers. In recent years, several African countries have resorted to the (sometimes) re-introduction of capital punishment in an attempt to stop these criminal and outdated traditional practices. In Nigeria a number of states have adopted legislation allowing the sentencing to death of convicted ritual murderers which does not always mean that they are actually executed.

National and international organizations like Amnesty International emphasize that the death penalty breaches human rights including the right to life and the right to live free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Both rights are protected under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN in 1948. Nigeria is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Please note: the link which leads to the Punch article reproduced below also mentions three other cases of ritualistic killings (‘money rituals’) in Nigeria: two in Anambra State (including a suspected case of ritual killing) and one in Ogun State. Though a coincidence it illustrates well that ‘money rituals’ are rampant in Africa’s most populated country.
(webmaster FVDK)

Nigeria: Delta court sentences man to death for killing twins for rituals

Published: July 16, 2024
By: Matthew Ochei – Punch, Nigeria

A High Court sitting at Asaba, the Delta State capital, has sentenced one Onuwa Ijie to death, and Nwanozie Uzor to 14 years imprisonment for murder and conspiracy to commit the murder of twin boys, Chidalu and Chigozie Agwunobi.

The court presided over by Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro sentenced two convicts over the murder of the seven-year-old boys.

The prosecution conducted by a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Paula Akpoguma, in proof of the case called five witnesses.

The court held that the testimony of the five witnesses proved the case against the two defendants beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution stated that tragedy struck the family of Olise Agwunobi of Oko-Ogbele Community on March 5, 2020, when their seven-year-old twin boys were lured by the defendants to a bush and they proceeded to cut off their penis, eyes, tongues and hands which they hurriedly took to a native doctor at Aguleri in Anambra State.

“One of the defendants had earlier gone to the school of the twin children to take them but was turned down by the school teacher, one Mrs Emelda Ezekwude,” she said.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Marshal-Umukoro stated that after carefully evaluating the evidence presented before him, the prosecution had discharged the burden of proof as the first defendant from his confessional statement was the person who sowed the seed of committing human rituals in the mind of the second defendant by giving the phone number of one Chukwudi  Edemuzor who was alleged to be searching for twins to kill for money.

The court maintained that the law is settled that the testimony of an investigating police officer was not hearsay evidence, and the court can rely on it.

Speaking with journalists after the judgment on Tuesday, the prosecuting counsel, Akpoguma thanked the court for upholding the cause of justice, “reaffirming that the judicial system works.”

Source: Delta court sentences man to death for killing twins for rituals

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Court sentences man to death over murder of twins in Delta

Published: July 17, 2024
By: Damilare Famuyima – Pulse, Nigeria

The twins boys were seven years old (Daily Trust)

The suspect and his accomplice were said to have murdered the twin boys for ritual purposes.

Justice Onome Marshal Umukoro of a High Court in Asaba, Delta State Capital, has sentenced Onuwa Ijie to death and his accomplice, Nwanozie Uzor, to 14 years imprisonment for the murder and conspiracy to murder twin boys, Chidalu and Chigozie Agwunobi.

The sentencing came after the court heard the case against the two men for the murder of the seven-year-old boys.

Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, Paula Akpoguma, led the prosecution, presenting five witnesses to support the case. 

A sixth witness, 15-year-old Iweka Ajie, the younger brother of one of the defendants, initially agreed to testify via video link but ultimately refused out of fear.

The court determined that the testimony of the five witnesses sufficiently proved the case against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt. 

According to the prosecution, on March 5, 2020, the family of Olise Agwunobi of Oko-Ogbele Community suffered a tragedy when their seven-year-old twin boys were lured to a bush by the defendants. 

There, the boys were mutilated, and their body parts were taken to a native doctor in Aguleri, Anambra State.

“One of the defendants had earlier attempted to take the children from their school but was turned away by the school teacher, Mrs. Emelda Ogugua Ezekwude,” Akpoguma said.

Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro, in his judgment, concluded that the prosecution had met the burden of proof.

He noted that the first defendant’s confessional statement indicated that he had introduced the idea of human rituals to the second defendant by providing the phone number of Chukwudi Edemuzor, who was allegedly seeking twins for ritual purposes.

The court held that the testimony of the Investigating Police Officer was admissible and not hearsay.

After the judgment, Akpoguma expressed gratitude to the court for delivering justice, reaffirming her belief in the effectiveness of the judicial system.

Source: Court sentences man to death over murder of twins in Delta

Some of the deadliest human sacrifices in history

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The article below is not specifically describing the actual situation in one or more African countries. The article is brief and superficial. The reason why I decided to post it here is that it illustrates the fact that ritualistic killings, human sacrifices, and the belief that sacrificing a human being in a ritual with the objective to please the gods or the ancestors are as old as mankind and have occurred or are still occurring all over the world.

It goes without saying that although these age-old practices occur world-wide, they have no place in the 3rd millennium of mankind.
(webmaster FVDK)

SOME OF THE DEADLIEST HUMAN SACRIFICES IN HISTORY

Published: December 12, 2022
By: Oluwatomiwa Ogunniyi – Guardian, Nigeria  

In the past, human sacrifices were prevalent all over the world.  The manner in which they were carried out was dreadful and not for the faint-hearted. We have compiled a list of some of the deadliest human sacrifices in history; you wouldn’t believe some of them!

  1. Persecution of People with albinism

Albinism is a genetically inherited condition that is very rare and it affects approximately one in every 20,000 people worldwide. Though rare in the western world, albinism is fairly common in sub-Saharan Africa, most likely, as a result of consanguineous alliances. Even though albinism occurs in both males and females and is not specific to any race or ethnic group, many still believe that it is a punishment from God or a result of hard luck.

Some Africans still believe that certain parts of an albino’s body have magical powers. This belief has led to many witch doctors and those seeking ingredients for their rituals to kill them. As a result, thousands of people with albinism have been killed and dismembered, and their graves of dug up and desecrated. The scary thing is that this practice is still common in Africa today. 

  • The Lafkenches Tribe Sacrifice

In the year 1960, the strongest earthquake and tsunami ever recorded on the moment magnitude scale hit Chile, thereby, killing thousands of people and destroying many homes and properties in the process. This earthquake became known as the great Chilean earthquake and it led to widespread fear of the possible cause. The people came to the conclusion that the god of the sea was angry with them and so they decided to offer a sacrifice.

They chose a five-year-old child and sacrificed him in a horrifying manner: he had his legs and arms and was stuck into the sand of the beach like a stake and the beach carried him away so that the waters would be calmed. The culprits were arrested and charged but they were released after two years.

  • The Mayan Sinkhole Sacrifices  

During the pre-Columbian era, the Mayans are known to have carried out all manner of ritual sacrifices, as they believed that human sacrifice was the ritual offering of nourishment to the gods. And one manner of sacrifice practised was the sinkhole, where they deposited valuables and human bodies into the cenote as a form of sacrifice to the rain god Chaac.

They also believed that the sinkholes and cenotes were portals to the underworld and they would appease dead spirits by offering human sacrifices to them. Explorers have discovered many sinkholes including the Sacred Cenote, a water-filled sinkhole at the pre-Columbian Maya archaeological site on Peninsula. Archaeological investigations have removed thousands of objects from the bottom of the cenote, including artefacts made from gold, jadeite, copal, wood, rubber and cloth, as well as thousands of human skeletons.

  • The Child Sacrifice in Carthage

Child sacrifices were very common in ancient cultures maybe because they believed that children possessed innocent souls and therefore were acceptable as forms of sacrifices to gods.

The Carthaginians would have a sacrificial fire pit where children would be thrown into by their parents. The practice became very repulsive to the Carthaginian parents who became tired of killing their own children. In response, they decided to buy children from neighbouring poor tribes, or care for their servant’s children who would then be offered as sacrifices. And during calamities like war, drought or famine, the priests demanded that even the youth be offered as a sacrifice. The sacrifices were carried out on a moonlit night, the children would be killed generously and their bodies would be tossed into the fiery pit amidst singing and dancing.

  • The Killing of Twins in Nigeria

This is another form of child sacrifice as the killing of twins was a cultural practice among some ethnic groups in Nigeria. Back then, multiple births were seen as an abomination against the earth deity and giving birth to twins was considered a bad omen that could bring devastation or calamity upon society. Twin babies were believed not to be humans but evil.

In 1876, Mary Slessor, a Scottish missionary assigned to Calabar, gradually worked towards changing the cultural belief that twins were evil. However, by 1915, following intervention by the British government, twins and their mothers were fully integrated into their communities. 

Source: Some of the deadliest human sacrifices in history

Uncle kills seven-year-old twins for rituals in Delta State, flees (Nigeria)

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Superstition is a curse. Its spread is like a virus… and it kills… How on earth can one believe that by murdering someone one increases wealth, power or prestige? ‘Money rituals’ in Nigeria cannot be compared to the traditional ritual killings which were performed for the sake of the wellbeing of the community – but which also don’t have a place in a modern society. Taking someone’s life is a crime. And should be punished.
   
Warning: the article below contains graphic details of the gruesome crime (webmaster FVDK)

Uncle kills seven-year-old twins for rituals in Delta, flees

Published: March 28, 2020
By: Punch Nigeria – Afeez Hanafi    

The joy heralding the birth of a child is usually indescribable let alone arrival of twins. That was the feeling seven years ago when Chiagozie and Chidalu Agwunobi, were welcomed to the Oliseh clan in Oko Ogbele Community, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. They were a bundle of joy to their parents as they grew up happily in months and years.

Few days ago, that joy was blown away like a candle in the wind when they went missing and their dismembered bodies later found in a bush. They were cruelly killed by their uncle, Onuwa Oliseh, who is still at large.

Onuwa reportedly lured the seven-year-old male twins to the bush within the neighbourhood on Friday, March 6, after they returned from school and butchered them. He was said to have removed some of their body parts for money rituals and dumped the remains.

Investigation by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team in the state led to the arrest of Onuwa’s accomplice, Kelvin Uzor, who is also a relation of the twins.

“Police got information that on March 6, the twins were missing from their parents’ house. Their bodies were later found in the bush on March 8 with some parts of their bodies mutilated. Their eyes, hands and private parts were missing. Police began investigation and generated enough intelligence that led to the arrest of Uzor. He confessed that they were a three-man gang and wanted to do money ritual with the body parts,” a senior officer told Saturday PUNCH.

Our correspondent learnt that Onuwa’s younger brother, Iweka, who attended the same school with the twins, told the police that the suspect asked him to lure the deceased from the school.

“I am a primary four pupil of Ekeanya Primary School. On March 6, at about 6.30am, my elder brother Onuwa Ajei Oliseh, asked me if I would go to school and I told him yes. He asked if I can help him bring out the twins from the school before the school closes that day and I told him no because their teacher would not agree.

“That day when I came back from school, I saw my brother place a cutlass on the table where he was eating while I went to the backyard. It was later I heard that the twins were missing and their dead bodies were found in the bush,” he told detectives.

The twins’ father, Agwunobi Oliseh, stated that Onuwa visited his house that Friday in the morning and asked him if they (the twins) would go to school. He said he responded in affirmative, unknown that Onuwa was plotting to kill his beloved kids.

The 52-year-old farmer said when his children returned from school, Onuwa came back and asked them to follow him to the stream in the community.

He said, “I am a traditionalist and a farmer. I’m married with seven kids. My twins were seven years old. On March 6 in the early morning, Onuwa came to my house and inquired if my late children would go to school and I said yes. I later learnt he told his younger brother, Iweka, to help him take my children out of the school premises. He said he wanted to go somewhere with them.

“Later in the day, he went to their school and tried to take them out but he was chased away by their teacher. As soon as they came back, he came to my house and asked them to follow him to the stream. I think they were on their way when he brought out a cutlass and killed them.”

The distraught father, who noted that he and his wife were not around when Onuwa took the twins away, said he was told the suspect ran home with bloodstains.

“According to his brother, he ran back home with his hands stained with blood. He then asked the brother to pour water on his hands while he washed the machete with which he killed the twins. He left for Uzor’s house and both of them went to one Anam.

“It was when I came back later in the day with my wife that I realised the twins were missing. While I was running around, Iweka told me that it was Onuwa who took my children. Onuwa ran away but we were able to find Uzor who told us where their bodies were dumped. We went there and found their mutilated bodies. Their eyes, tongues and hands were removed,” he added.

Uzor, in his statement, admitted the twins were killed for rituals but denied partaking in their murder.

He said one of his friends, called Chukwudi, told him of a traditionalist in Anambra who could help them to perform money rituals with children not above age 12.

The 18-year-old primary school leaver stated that he informed Onuwa, who agreed to the plan.

He said, “I stopped schooling after my primary school education because my parents did not have money. I worked for a farmer called Egwiyo. I served him for many years and he promised to give me money this year. Chukwudi told me there was a place where we could do money rituals in Anambra and he asked if I was interested.

“We later told Onuwa who agreed to do it. I told them I was not interested but if they want to do it, they could go ahead. I told them I would be happy if they succeeded. I was sleeping when Onuwa called me and said he had killed the twins. He said he took their bodies to one native doctor in Delta but the man told him he wasn’t into money rituals.

“He later called me when the heat was much and told me where he dumped the bodies. Now, police said I was the one who killed the twins. Onuwa took the body parts to a herbalist in Aguleri, Anambra.’’

Uzor said immediately he learnt about the twin’s murder, he ran to Anambra where he was tracked down by the police. He added that he gave tacit support for the crime in the hope that he would be given money to buy a car and build a house if it worked out.

He said, “I wanted to become a young chief because most of the young men I know did not work as hard as I did and now they are millionaires. I am a farmer and hardworking but I was not making enough money. I have no savings. That was why I somehow agreed to be part of the plan.

“Onuwa convinced me it was the fastest way to make money and that most of our colleagues made money through that means. My greatest mistake was that I did not inform my family when Onuwa suggested that we should use the twins.

“I love the twins so much and their parents are nice. I cautioned him but I don’t know that he would still go ahead to kill them. They normally went to his house to play; so it was easy for him to take them out without anyone being suspicious. I was not in the bush when he killed them.”

Uzor revealed further that the initial plan was to use an elderly woman in the community for the money ritual but he prevailed on the gang to spare the woman because she was generous.

“Initially, they wanted to use one old woman known as Nne Amaka, but I pleaded with them to leave her because she is nice. If I passed by and begged her for water, she would give me water and even food.

“I feel bad because he betrayed me. I am appealing to young men that money ritual does not pay. I am a hard working man and well known. Even when my name was mentioned in the crime, a lot of people came out to defend me. I am sorry. I want the family to forgive me,” he added.

Saturday PUNCH learnt that the remains of the twins had been deposited at the General Hospital, Igbuzor while IRT detectives led by DCP Abba Kyari had launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.

Source: Uncle kills seven-year-old twins for rituals in Delta, flees