Yoruba Elders Decry Rising Ritual Killings in Southwest Nigeria

• The group lamented the involvement of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including religious leaders and teenagers
  

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Yoruba elders under the Kaaro Oojiire ÌmÍ Oodua Foundation (KOOOF) have raised concerns over the increasing cases of ritual killings and body part harvesting in the Southwest region of Nigeria.

In a statement issued by the group’s Vice President and Diaspora Counsel, Gbenga Adewusi, the elders described the trend as alarming and a threat to the peace and development of the region.

“The recurrence of these heinous acts is a shameful episode that stakeholders in Yoruba land must no longer ignore,” Mr Adewusi said.

The group lamented the involvement of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including religious leaders and teenagers. “The current evidence from news reports indicates that most of those caught by security agencies are Muslim Alfas and Christian pastors. However, this should not exonerate the Yoruba people from the menace of ritual killings,” the statement added.

KOOOF also criticised the widespread belief linking ritual killings to traditional Yoruba religious practices, dismissing it as a false narrative. “There is no money ritual at all. Those engaged in these gruesome acts are not practising authentic Yoruba traditions,” Mr Adewusi said.

The group warned that the rising cases of ritual killings could deter potential investors and hinder progress in the Southwest. It called for urgent measures to address the issue and ensure the safety and tranquillity of the region.

“Without immediate action, the peace, progress, and development of the Southwest are at stake,” the statement concluded.