The mission of the suspect was to use parts of their bodies for money ritual, according to unconfirmed reports.
Matthew Onocheta
Ibadan – A middle-aged man, simply identified as Alfa Ahmed, has reportedly slaughtered his grandfather and uncle in Ibadan, Oyo State, South-West Nigeria, for an alleged money ritual, a local newspaper reported.
The incident happened at the back of a popular market in Apete, in the Ido Local Government Area of the state, on Sunday evening, The Punch newspaper reported.
The news outlet reported that the late grandfather was visually impaired before the incident occurred.
“The suspect, popularly called Alfa Ahmed in the area took advantage of his grandfather’s condition because the man was visually impaired, while his uncle too was not feeling fine when the incident occurred,” a source said.
The mission of the suspect was to use parts of their bodies for money ritual, according to unconfirmed reports.
“The victims reside in the same place with the suspect at the back of popular market in Apete when the incident happened around 6.pm to 6.30pm yesterday (Sunday). And people alerted the police about the unfortunate incident because the whole place was tensed,” a second source said.
The state police spokesman Adewale Osifeso also confirmed the incident.
“Investigation has commenced into the matter. Updates will be provided accordingly, please,” the police spokesman told The Punch newspaper.
Nigeria is presently grappling with a sinister phenomenon that has already claimed countless lives and left families devastated.
Ritual killing, driven by the belief that human body parts can be used for sudden wealth and power to manipulate and control, has become a scary reality in the country. This heinous practice, which is usually glossed over as a folktale until one falls victim, is an affront to human dignity and a blight on our collective conscience.
Recent data suggests that the problem is escalating. According to the National Human Rights Commission, over 200 reported cases of ritual killings occurred in Nigeria between 2018 and 2020. The victims are often vulnerable individuals, including children, women, and the elderly. The perpetrators, often fueled by greed and misguided beliefs, prey on innocent lives, leaving families and communities shattered.
It is important to note that ritual killings are a complex issue, and no single factor can fully explain their occurrence. Addressing the social state of the perpetrators requires a comprehensive approach that involves education, economic empowerment, cultural sensitisation, and governance reform.
Poverty, unemployment, and a lack of education create an environment where desperate individuals are preyed upon by unscrupulous ritualists.
Some individuals believe that human organs and body parts possess spiritual powers that can bring lasting wealth, success, and protection. This belief is perpetuated by false narratives and superstitions by dishonest individuals.