Lax penalties as impetus for surge in ritualistic crimes in Nigeria

Despite the efforts of security agencies to contain ritual killings in the country, many Nigerians youths are still attracted to the vice. In this report, MOYOSORE SALAMI looks at the root causes of this heinous crime and what could be done to curb it drastically.

Nigeria is witnessing a disturbing increase in ritualistic crimes, where individuals engage in the macabre practice of human sacrifice believing that it will lead to wealth, power or success.

These heinous acts are driven by deep-rooted superstitions and a twisted understanding of prosperity that question the core values of communities and challenge the effectiveness of the nation’s security agencies.

In January 2024, the Ogun State Police Command arrested three suspects in possession of a human skull and other body parts. The suspects were believed to be part of a syndicate involved in the illegal trade of human organs, primarily used for rituals and charms.

On June 12, this year, the police in Ondo State arrested a suspect, Yusuf Adenoyin, with eight human skulls in Isua-Akoko area of the state.

Parading the suspect, the state Police Commissioner, Abayomi Oladipo, said the suspect was arrested by officers attached to Police Safer Highway patrol at Isua/Epinmi checkpoint.

He said the commercial vehicle in which the suspect was travelling was flagged down and immediately the vehicle stopped, the suspect took to his heels and was later arrested.

The police commissioner added that eight dry human skulls were seen wrapped in a polythene bag and concealed in a sack filled with garri.

The suspect, who confessed to the crime, said he was trying to raise N2 million to pay for his sick mother’s treatment in the hospital.

In the Amuloke area of Ibadan, Oyo State, recently, a man identified as Mustapha Bello was apprehended by residents after being found in possession of a fresh human skull. The skull, believed to be that of an unidentified woman, was discovered late on a Monday night by residents who became suspicious of Bello’s behaviour and, upon inspecting the sack he was carrying, found the skull inside it.

Two men were also arrested with a human skull hidden in a black polythene bag in Lagos recently. The suspects claimed they had purchased the skull from cemetery workers for ritual purposes and intended to sell it to a local herbalist.

The rising demand for human body parts for certain occultic practices has pushed many to the crime, as some individuals are willing to pay large sums for those items.

Those who engage in ritualistic crime believe that the human skull and other body parts can bring wealth, power or protection, hence the trade in body parts. The involvement of organised syndicates in this trade has made it difficult for law enforcement agencies to curb the practice. These criminal networks often operate in secrecy with various actors playing different roles form sourcing the body parts to selling them to buyers.

The recent incidents have highlighted the need for a more robust response from law enforcement agencies. While arrests have been made, the underlying causes of these crimes remain largely unaddressed.

Between January 5 and December 28, 2021, the statistics of ritual-related deaths generated from the Nigeria Watch and WANEP’s National Early Warning System (NEWS) showed a total of over 168 deaths in 80 incidents across 20 states in Nigeria. Out of the total recorded deaths during the period, 29 were females while 30 were children. In most cases, the gender was unknown due to severe mutilation of the victims.

In 2022, House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on ritual killings. Following a motion by the then Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, the House called on the then Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to enhance surveillance and intelligence efforts to apprehend and prosecute those involved. Additionally, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) was also directed to launch a campaign to address the issue.

Despite these calls for urgent action, ritual killings have continued to escalate in the country, with the latest Global Peace Index rating Nigeria as the 19th less peaceful state among the countries with the least peace in the world.

This has prompted some stakeholders to call for a collective effort to address the malaise.

A cleric, Emmanuel Ajiboye, expressed deep concern over the prevalence of ritualistic crimes in the country.

“This alarming rise in ritual killings is a clear indication that our society is losing its moral compass. We must return to the core values of honesty, integrity and hard work,” Ajiboye said.

He pointed out that religious institutions have a crucial role to play in reorienting the minds of the youth.

“As religious leaders, we must lead the charge in educating our congregations on the dangers of seeking wealth through evil means. The love of money is indeed the root of all evils, and we must propagate this message with urgency,” he added.

A sociologist, Dr. Abiola Adeniran, told The Guardian that the issue of ritual killings goes beyond mere superstition, saying it reflects a deeper societal malaise.

“The increasing disconnect between societal values and economic realities has created a dangerous environment where young people feel disenfranchised and hopeless. In a society where the social contract is broken, they turn to whatever means they believe will give them an edge, including ritual killings,” he said.

While suggesting the ways to address the issue, Adeniran noted: “We must tackle the underlying social issues driving individuals towards these barbaric practices. This includes creating more economic opportunities for the youth, promoting education and fostering a culture that values hard work over quick, ill-gotten wealth.”

On his part, a legal practitioner, Tobi Onafuwa, said that Nigeria’s current legal framework is adequate to tackle ritualistic killings, including human and organ trafficking.

“The existing laws, such as the Criminal Code and Penal Code, are more than sufficient to address these heinous crimes, which fall under the broader category of homicide,” he said.

Onafuwa stressed the need for rigorous enforcement of these laws, urging criminal prosecutorial agencies to exercise due diligence in handling cases related to ritual killings and human trafficking.

“Criminal prosecutorial agencies must ensure due diligence in prosecuting cases of ritualistic killings and human trafficking. Convictions in such cases should serve as a strong deterrent to both current and potential offenders,” Onafuwa added.

Another lawyer, Victor Anifowose, called for the adoption of stringent laws similar to those enacted by the Osun State House of Assembly recently.

Anifowose emphasised that while ritual killings are prosecuted as murder or manslaughter depending on the specifics of the case, the recently passed Anti-Kidnapping, Banditry, and Ritual Killing Law in Osun State provides a robust legal framework that other states should emulate.

“The offence remains murder or manslaughter, governed by the Criminal Code Act and Criminal Code Law in the southern states, and the Penal Code Law in the northern regions of the country. These laws prescribe the death penalty for capital offences, including murder, while manslaughter may attract a mitigated punishment,” Anifowose explained.

He argued that Osun State’s legislative action should serve as a model for other states and the Federal Government.

“In my opinion, other states in Nigeria and the country at large should adopt what the Osun State House of Assembly has done on this subject matter,” he emphasised.

Anifowose, however, cautioned that legal reforms alone might not be sufficient to combat the menace. He stressed the importance of societal attitude to the crime.

“Assuming but not conceding that the laws are not sufficient, it is crucial that society frowns upon these acts and unites to combat this menace. No matter the laws in place, if society sees it as a normal thing, enforcement will be difficult,” he noted.

A security expert, Olawale Adedokun, also said there was a need for more robust law enforcement to combat ritualistic crimes.

“The rise in ritual killings is not just a failure of morality but also a failure of law enforcement. There must be a concerted effort to crack down on those perpetuating these crimes. We need specialised units within the police force dedicated to handling ritualistic killings. These units must be well-trained, well-equipped and supported by the judiciary to ensure swift prosecution of offenders.”

He, however, noted that law enforcement alone would not be enough, adding: “Community policing and intelligence gathering are critical in preventing these crimes before they occur. We need to build trust between the police and the communities they serve so that information flows freely, and potential ritualistic crimes can be thwarted before they occur.”