Ritual killings feared as six headless corpses found
September 22, 2007
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Six corpses of murder victims have been found in Togo, all of which had been decapitated and their bodies drained of blood. Local communities fear a resurgence of ritual killings ahead of upcoming elections next month.
The reported murders occurred last weekend east of the Togo capital, Lome. Victims included a 12 yr old boy and a 63 yr old woman. Their corpses were discovered without heads which had been taken by the killers. The gruesome discovery has triggered speculation that the killings were ritual murders. This is a practice is not uncommon in parts of Africa, where people kill to obtain body parts and blood in the belief they will bring social success, wealth and political power.
Local police announced the arrest of four suspects, who confessed to killing the 12-year-old boy. One of the suspects was from Benin, the West African home of the ancient Voodoo religion, in a society where traditional and superstitious beliefs still have influence, some believe there is a link between the killings and the ambitions of aspiring candidates for next month’s elections.
“Some of these politicians are prepared to do anything to keep their seats, even carry out sacrifices,” said Joel Attigan, a geography student, “We are in Africa, and spilled human blood can reveal many things,” - referring to the voodoo and witchcraft practice of using human blood or body parts for divining or influencing the future.
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