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Gruesome Discovery of Decomposing Dead Bodies at
Barbaric Shrines in Anambra State, Nigeria:
United Nations should take over the investigations

We congratulate the police, and demand unhindered investigation

New York, August 13, 2004—Following the reported raid of fetish shrines in Okija, Anambra State , Nigeria and gruesome discovery of many dead bodies at various levels of decomposition by the Nigerian police, Africans In America, Inc. together with Freedom and Justice International, Inc. are congratulating the Nigerian police and calling for exhaustive (scientific) investigations.

We also wish to make the following statements on this development:

We especially congratulate President Obasanjo, and Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State for allowing the police to do their work, so far in this case.

Any son or daughter of Igboland in position of authority who condemn this effort to end these horrific and barbaric practices should be seen as the real enemy/saboteur of the Ighos in particular, and mankind in general; and should resign his/her position, immediately.

We encourage the authorities to go beyond Okija, Anambra State and look into the activities of other shrines, other institutions and practices known to be involved in human sacrifice, and other human rights violations. From the petty criminals in hidden villages, across government houses, to palatial mansions at Aso Rock, Abuja ; violators of human rights in Nigeria must be identified and booked.

In as much as it took the authorities too long to act, in view of all the large number of life apparently lost already, at least we are seeing what appear to be; a new beginning. This is absolutely a positive development regardless of where the cleansing starts. Whether it started with shrines in Igboland, Yorubaland, Hausaland; or whether it stated with the police, judiciary, armed forces, custom, immigrations, other government agencies, federal state, or local government, or whether it started with the private sector should be immaterial.

We are, however, concerned about wide sentiments within the population that police investigation may be stalled due to involvement of prominent individuals in this satanic and barbaric practices around the country.

It has to be recalled that President Obasanjo currently ruling Nigeria, in the past, reportedly, had advocated the use of Epe, Ogun, Oshun and other ancient satanic and barbaric practices to fight Apartheid raising questions on his form of religious belief and practice. It has to be noted that President Obasanjo, however recently, has publicly stated that he has converted to Christianity. Governor Chris Ngige, a Medical Doctor by training, while seeking governorship post went with some political cronies to the Okija deity where he reportedly striped naked and swear oath of obedience to the secret cult, among other rituals, in order to gain their trust and support. Among the cronies that reportedly took the governor to the shrine were members of Federal, as well as, State legislatures and other very influential politicians. It is unknown whether the police had investigated the rumor that human being was sacrificed during the rituals.

We encourage all the Nigerians regardless of their status in the society to cooperate fully with the investigation in the spirit of “Full, Complete and Total Transparency”.

We encourage the government to reach out to the global (Western) community and United Nations for necessary up-to-date scientific resources to determine the identity of the bodies and the cause of death, especially for those whose only remains are skeletons.

From our studies and research, shrines and oracles do not poison, nor kill humans or animals to enforce any oath; the practitioners (shrine keepers & customers) do. Every religion must conform to the same principle of human rights, including right to life and death, and proper disposal of dead bodies to avoid health hazards.

Our organizations are interested in this development because, in Nigeria particularly, poor people, especially children (victims of human trafficking) are normally used for human sacrifice in those shrines.

Africans In America, Inc. is dedicated to providing social services, self-empowerment and community awareness to the underserved and economically disadvantaged African communities in the New York metropolitan area. One of our primary purposes is to end the abuse of survivors of trafficking, especially women and girl children from Africa living in the United States .

Freedom and Justice International, Inc. is human rights, pro-democracy, anti-corruption, social and economic justice organization based in New York . Our mission is to engage in generating awareness, resources and coordinating activities to promote freedom, address injustice, and exploitation of people of continental Africa and Africans in Diaspora.

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© 2003 Africans in America, Inc.
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