Upsurge in ritualistic killings
2005-07-13 19:00
Monrovia - "Stop ritualistic killing. It will not pay you anything. It will not make you rich, nor will it give you a job. If anyone is found guilty of this practice, I will sign his death warrant without winking my eye and I will sleep well."
These were the words of Liberia's transitional power-sharing government chairperson Charles Gyude Bryant after an upsurge in ritualistic killings in post-war Liberia.
These threats by the Liberian head of state have not deterred ritualistic killers. Rather, there has been an upsurge in this primitive, barbaric practice. Radio reports of missing children in the capital Monrovia are common.
Victims of ritualistic killers
Just two days after the chairperson's pronouncement in June, Archibald Dakai, 19, was abducted in northeastern Nimba County and taken to a group of ritualistic killers (known in Liberia as "Heartmen") who injected him with formaldehyde. The victim's decaying body was discovered later with parts missing.
On July 7, Gbarnga citizens went on the rampage, burning down vehicles and a Nigerian provision shop in protest at the upsurge in ritualistic murders in Bong county after the abduction of Junior Korto who was ambushed on the Gbarnga-Monrovia highway. He survived the attack, but had severe injuries during the scuffle.
Korto's attempted murder is just one in a series of ritualistic activities in Bong county, including the case of a woman whose body was found with breasts and fingers removed, a month ago in Sergeant Kollie Town on the Gbarnga-Monrovia highway.
Three people have been arrested in the county in connection with ritualistic activities, according to police.
Death penalty for ritualistic killings
The justice ministry said it was holding nearly 20 people in connection with involvement in ritualistic killings, a capital crime which carries the death penalty under Liberian law.
The ministry said it had received numerous reports of ritualistic killings in Nigeria, with 13 incidents reported in eastern Grand Bassa county during just two weeks in June.
Ritualistic killing is an age-old practice in Liberia. According to 70-year-old Logan town resident Alfred Cooper, Heartmen usually remove the tongue, private parts, breasts, the skin of the palm and other vital parts, after killing their victims.
The parts are used to prepare talismans believed to endow users with power and riches. Talismans prepared from human parts are also believed to bring victory to users in political contests.
"This is why there is usually an upsurge in ritualistic murders during elections," Cooper observed.
Victims carefully chosen
"Only mentally sound people in good health with some prospects in life are usually murdered.
It is the sorcerer who prepares the talisman who decides whether or not a male or female is needed for a certain talisman," said 65-year-old Ahmadu Belloe. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA