Ritual killings, a heinous practice involving the murder of individuals for spiritual or superstitious purposes, have plagued various societies worldwide. In Nigeria, such practices have been particularly rampant, with numerous cases reported over the years.
One of the most recent and alarming incidents is the arrest of Obi Levi Obieze, a native doctor from Enugu State, who stands accused of multiple ritualistic murders.
This article delves into the details of Obieze’s case, examines similar historical incidents, and discusses the broader implications of ritual killings in Nigeria.
The 2025 Enugu Arrest: Levi Obieze’s Ghastly Discovery
In early 2025, Nigerian immigration officers intercepted Levi Obieze, alias Obi Levi Obu, attempting to flee through the Badagry border. Upon investigation, authorities discovered his deep involvement in the kidnapping and ritualistic murder of a 13-year-old girl. At his shrine, police uncovered decomposing human remains, including body parts that bore chilling testimony to the dark rituals performed there.
Who is Obi Obieze?
Levi Onyeka Obieze was not just any native doctor; he was a figure shrouded in whispers and rumors across Enugu State. Born in 1976 in Udi Local Government Area, Obieze grew up in a family known for traditional healing practices. From a young age, he was steeped in herbal lore, spiritual rites, and local mysticism.
Obieze rose to prominence by blending traditional medicine with the growing demands of a community desperate for cures and supernatural protection. His clientele ranged from farmers seeking bountiful harvests to politicians wanting spiritual leverage over opponents.
Yet, behind his public image as a healer, a darker side festered. Investigations reveal that Obieze had long been under suspicion for involvement in disappearances around his village. Several families had reported missing relatives, often young women and children, but these cases rarely made it to court.
In 2023, a woman’s skeletal remains were found near his property, but the evidence wasn’t sufficient for arrest. Local law enforcement, sometimes complicit or intimidated, failed to act decisively. The community’s fear of Obieze’s alleged powers kept many silent.
The breakthrough came in 2025 when a string of disappearances spiked dramatically, catching the attention of state police and human rights groups. The rescue of the 13-year-old girl was the tipping point — a live witness who could speak about the horrors inside Obieze’s compound.
As police gathered more evidence, including ritual paraphernalia, charms soaked in human blood, and bones buried beneath his compound, the case against Obieze became undeniable.
Today, he faces multiple counts of kidnapping, murder, and ritual abuse. But his arrest has reopened painful questions about the widespread but often hidden practice of ritual killings in Nigeria.
Revisiting Notorious Ritual Cases Across Nigeria
The story of ritual killings is sadly not new. Over the years, Nigeria has recorded several gruesome cases that highlight the extent of this menace:
Okija Shrine Raid (2004) – Anambra State
The Okija Shrine, infamous for ritualistic activities, was raided by police in 2004. The operation uncovered over 70 decomposed bodies and skulls, leading to the arrest of more than 40 native doctors and attendants. The shrine was a hub for occult worship and ritual sacrifices, illustrating an organized and large-scale network facilitating ritual killings.
Otokoto Ritual Killings (1996) – Imo State
The brutal murder of 11-year-old Anthony Ikechukwu Okoronkwo in Imo State sparked public outrage. The boy was killed for ritual purposes by hotelier Vincent Duru and his accomplices. The event triggered violent riots in Owerri, culminating in the arrest and death sentences of those involved. The Otokoto killings remain a stark reminder of how ritualistic greed preys on the vulnerable.
Eddy Nawgu (2000) – Anambra State
Eddy Nawgu, a self-proclaimed prophet and occultist, was linked to ritual killings and human trafficking. Vigilantes captured Nawgu and handed him over to police, where he was later killed under contentious circumstances. His case highlights the blurred line between spiritual leadership and criminality in some communities.
Godfrey Akpudje (2021) – Delta State
In 2021, native doctor Godfrey Akpudje was arrested with two human skulls in his possession. He claimed to have inherited one from a deceased practitioner in Osun State. This case shows the eerie trade of human remains within ritual circles, where body parts are passed down and used as spiritual tokens.
Taiwo Yemitan (2024) – Ogun State
Arrested in 2024, Yemitan was found with a freshly severed human head and dismembered female body parts in Abeokuta, Ogun State. His capture sent ripples through the southwest, exposing how ritual killings continue in areas previously thought to be safer.
The Ibadan Forest of Horror (2014): A Case Study in Horror
One of the most harrowing discoveries was in Soka, Ibadan, where a building was uncovered as a hub for human trafficking and ritual sacrifices. The site, dubbed the “Forest of Horror,” contained multiple decomposing bodies and body parts.
Rescue efforts freed 23 survivors, many of whom were abducted and intended as ritual victims. This case demonstrated how ritual killings intersect with human trafficking, amplifying the scale of human suffering
Yusuf Adinoyi (2024) – Ondo State
Adinoyi’s arrest for possession of eight human skulls and human flesh in Isua-Akoko uncovered another chilling layer to the ongoing ritual killing epidemic. The case pointed to a disturbing network trafficking in human body parts.
Other Recent Cases (2025)
Beyond Obieze, Enugu State police apprehended another native doctor attempting to use a 13-year-old girl in ritual practices.
In Oyo State, two suspects were arrested for grave robbery and selling body parts to ritualists, exposing the supply side of the horrific trade.
Impact on Communities
The consequences of ritual killings are devastating:
- Families live in fear of abduction and violence.
- Native doctors’ reputations suffer, causing mistrust toward traditional medicine.
- Social cohesion frays as suspicion and paranoia grow.
Law Enforcement and Government Response
Nigerian authorities have taken steps to fight ritual killings:
Raids and arrests: Police regularly raid shrines suspected of housing human remains and arrest suspects, as in the Obi Obieze case.
Public awareness campaigns: Efforts aim to educate communities about the dangers and illegality of ritual killings.
Legal actions: Courts prosecute perpetrators to set examples.
Still, many call for stronger collaboration between law enforcement, traditional councils, and community leaders to tackle the root causes and provide protective support for vulnerable populations.
Final Thoughts: Facing the Darkness Within
Ritual killings are not just crimes, they are symptoms of deeper wounds in our society. From Otokoto murders to Levi Obieze, these cases force us to confront uncomfortable truths about fear, desperation, and broken systems.
How many more innocent lives must be lost before we address the root of the problem—ignorance, poverty, and a justice system that struggles to act? This fight isn’t only about arresting perpetrators; it’s about dismantling the beliefs and silence that let these horrors persist.
Each exposed shrine, each captured ritualist is a flicker of hope. But real change demands courage—from communities, leaders, and institutions—to bring these shadows into the light and ensure such darkness no longer finds a home.
Discussion about this post