- The Nigerian police recently arrested a man with eight human skulls in Ondo
- Serial killers are still active in gathering human parts for rituals
- These rituals are driven by the belief that they can give money and others
Judging by recent reports, serial killing remains an issue in Nigeria. This suggests that claims of its suppression appear overstretched. The history of serial killings in the country can be traced to the gathering of human body parts for ritual purposes. These body parts are taken to herbalists, who carry out the rituals.
Ritual killings are driven by the belief that they can offer wealth
Such rituals are driven by the belief that they can offer an individual power and money, and protect them from business failures, commercial loss, and spiritual attacks, among others.
Police in Ondo State recently arrested a man with eight human skulls
Police in Ondo State recently arrested a 31-year-old man on June 10 for allegedly possessing eight human skulls, flesh, and charms.
The suspect, identified as Yusuf Adenoyin, claimed to own the eight stinky dry skulls and that he was on his way to Osogbo's Oke-Onitea district to give the human skulls to a herbalist, confirming that he had supplied seven human skulls before his arrest.
Wisdom Sunday was a deadly criminal in Akwa Ibom
Wisdom Sunday Akpan was a serial killer and one of the deadliest armed robbers on the Akwa Ibom Police Command's wanted list. He was killed during one of his robbery operations in 2023, by members of the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) team of the command.
Gracious David-West specialised in killing young ladies in hotel rooms
Another notorious serial killer is Gracious David-West, who specializes in killing young ladies in hotel rooms. The suspect claimed he carried out his mission anytime he felt the impulse to kill a young woman and described how he strangled his victims in Lagos, Imo, and Rivers States. At the height of the killings in September 2019, outraged Port Harcourt residents cried out, urging officials to investigate the murders. He was caught on September 19 while attempting to run away from Port Harcourt.
Clifford Nwa Orji was popular for eating human flesh
Going back in history, Clifford Nwa Orji, a well-known Nigerian serial killer and cannibal, was convicted in multiple incidents of kidnapping and selling human body parts. He continued his crimes undetected until February 3, 1999, when a dying woman was discovered near his abode. After additional examination, decomposing and cooked human body parts and skulls were discovered at his place.
Other notable serial killers
Other notable serial killers in Nigeria the history of Nigeria include Doctor Ishola Oyenusi, widely known as "The Doctor,". He was Nigeria's first armed robber and serial killer. He was executed in 1971 after confessing to several killings and robberies.
The Ibadan Butchers, a group of serial killers, is another one that was tracked down in 2014 for killing several people in Ibadan, Oyo State. They were known for selling human flesh to unknown customers.
Sunday Shodipe was arrested in 2020 for the murders of multiple individuals in the Akinyele neighbourhood of Ibadan, Oyo State.