‘Why people use human parts for rituals’

From Daily Independent Online

October 15, 2005—Chief S. B Tejuoso, a traditionalist, spoke with Senior Correspondent, Kazeem Akintunde on why the incident of child kidnapping is on the increase in the country. Excerpts.

Is there anything like moneymaking rituals?

Yes, it exists and some of our so-called rich men in the society got their money through such a process

Are there money making rituals involving the use of human being?

Yes, there are rituals that are made with human sacrifice. Some people in actual fact prefer to use human beings than using animals because human sacrifice is more potent than using animal. It is not a new thing in the country. It has been with us for a very long time. Even when I was young, there were known cases of rich men in the society who made their money through such process. It is just that their end is not something one should wish for his enemy. Most of them died a violent death and they never really lived long to enjoy such wealth. Some for 10 years, for others, it could be shorter.

There was a report last week that some kidnappers were caught when one of their victims escaped and the case got reported to the OPC and the police at Sango Area of Ogun State?

I heard about it and I think it is due to the planned introduction of the N1000 note. Whenever a higher denomination of currency is to be introduced, there is always a rise in the cases of child kidnapping. It is due to the fact that many of those who make their money through such a process would need to renew it with a higher denomination. Money is an instrument of the devil and many of our people no longer want to wait until it is their time to be rich. We all seem to be in a rat race to make money as if we shall take it to heaven.

You said that using a human being is more potent than using animal. How are those rituals made?

It involves the use of human parts. Some use the liver, some use the heart, some use private parts and some make use of the whole body, which they would keep at home and these would be bringing them money whenever they need money. They make use of the spirit of the person. You would only need to put N500 note or the new N1000 note into a calabash placed on the head of the victim and after necessary incantation, you have thousands of it.

But let me tell you one thing, anything done with such money would not last. If it is used to build a house, those residing in such a house would not prosper. If such money is used to train a child, calamity would befall such a child at the point of success. He could be involved in an accident and would die. It could be a terrible affliction that would affect such a child. That is why our forefather always said that not all that glitters are gold. We should never envy anybody whose source of wealth is not known to us.

But why is it that those who do the rituals for others can’t do it for themselves?

It is because they know the repercussion. Money made from the devil belongs to the devil. Such money does not last. And sooner than later, the repercussion comes. It exists in all parts of the country. The Igbo have it, the Hausa have their own and we the Yoruba also have our own. But the end of people that get their money through such means is always sad.

With such violent end for those that make their money through that process, why are cases of child kidnapping on the rise in the country?

Because we now have youths that want to get rich quick and at all costs. And it is due to one reason. We started having problem in this country after the civil war. Most of the children born after the war, if you notice, are fearless. Most of them are products of rape by soldiers at gunpoint and you should not expect such a child to fear anybody. They are ready to die to get rich and they will do anything to achieve their aim. We have to keep on praying to God for the salvation of this country.