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Hunting down those who kill people to sell their body parts for 'magic charms'

Hunting down those who kill people to sell their body parts for 'magic charms'

Summary

The article discusses the issue of human body parts being sold for use in magic rituals in Sierra Leone, causing significant distress among families. It highlights the case of an 11-year-old boy who was murdered, allegedly for such rituals, and explores the challenges in addressing these crimes due to insufficient resources and cultural beliefs in the country.

Key Facts

  • An 11-year-old boy named Papayo was killed, and parts of his body were removed, possibly for use in magic rituals.
  • His murder is part of a broader issue in Sierra Leone related to killings linked to supposed magic practices, often referred to as "juju."
  • Many of these cases remain unsolved due to a lack of resources, such as only having one pathologist for the entire country.
  • Cultural beliefs in witchcraft are deeply rooted, which can discourage thorough investigations by the authorities.
  • The BBC Africa Eye team involved undercover operations to gather information about this underground trade.
  • Two individuals claiming to be part of this trade described a network supplying body parts and having influential clients.
  • A man, referred to as Kanu, showed evidence of his trade and claimed to work with prominent politicians in West Africa.
  • Election periods are considered particularly high-risk times for abductions related to these practices.
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