By: Bayero Ade
Yoruba elders, under the Kaaro Oojiire ÌmÍ Oodua Foundation (KOOOF), have voiced serious concerns over the increasing incidents of ritual killings and body part harvesting in the South West.
In a statement issued by Gbenga Adewusi, the foundation’s Vice President and Diaspora Counsel, the elders questioned how acts of human decapitation and body harvesting have become a regular occurrence in the region.
Adewusi described the ongoing ritual killings as a disgrace to the Yoruba community, stating, “The recurrence of these inhumane acts is a shameful development that can no longer be ignored or swept under the rug by anyone in Yoruba land.” He expressed alarm over the widespread nature of these crimes, involving people from all walks of life, including religious leaders and young people.
He warned that if immediate action is not taken, the growing menace could undermine the peace, security, and development of the region. “No investor will want to invest in an area where citizens are frequently murdered for ritual purposes,” Adewusi added.
Adewusi also pointed out that reports show that many of those arrested in connection with ritual killings have been Muslim clerics and Christian pastors, though he stressed that this fact should not absolve the Yoruba community from addressing the issue, as those involved are often from the region.
In their statement, KOOOF strongly condemned the acts, noting that the narrative blaming traditional Yoruba religious practices for ritual killings is false. “We state emphatically that there is no such thing as ‘money ritual’ in authentic Yoruba tradition,” the statement read. “Those involved in ritual killings for money are not practicing the true Yoruba faith.”
The elders called for urgent action to end this growing trend, urging the government, security agencies, and community leaders to join forces in stopping ritual killings and safeguarding the integrity of Yoruba culture.
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