Niger Delta Weekly Conflict Update for October 04-10, 2020

By | Conflict Tracker | 0 comment | 8 October, 2020 | 0

DESCRIPTION

This weekly update spotlights ritualistic crimes in the Niger Delta with a focus on ritual-related killings in Delta State. According to data (see map below), over 55 incidents of ritual-related killings were reported in Delta State between January 2016 and July 2020. Recent data shows a rise in ritual killings in the State, driven, anecdotally, by the emergence of a new generation of cyber criminals (Yahoo-Boys) who use human body parts for occult rituals to achieve success in their internet scams. In March 2020, for instance, 7-year old twin boys were reportedly killed by an 18-year old man who removed their body parts for money-making ritual in Oko-Ogbele community, Oshimili South LGA. In July, a woman was reportedly murdered for rituals in Ibusa community, Oshimili North LGA. Her womb was reportedly removed. In August, a 67-year old man was reportedly killed for ritual purposes by a traditional healer in Orhoakpor community, Ethiope East LGA. Recently, on September 27, 2020, a young girl was reportedly killed for ritual purposes in Obiaruku community, Ukwuani LGA. Some of her body parts were reportedly removed.