Posted on 01/10/2008 9:02:32 PM PST by forkinsocket
LAGOS, Jan 9 (Reuters) - A Nigerian man was sentenced to life in prison for trying to kidnap a boy with the intention of killing him and using his body parts in rituals to get rich.
Prosecutors told an Islamic court that Abdullahi Mohammed hit the boy with a chicken on Dec. 22 and believed the bird had special powers.
"The accused alleged that the mysterious chicken was given to him by a friend, one Ibrahim, to kidnap children for money making rituals," the News Agency of Nigeria reported.
The judge said the punishment for ritualists was death by hanging, but he imposed life in prison because Mohammed, 20, had pleaded guilty and begged for leniency.
The boy was rescued by bystanders.
Rituals which require killing are common in Nigeria and many people believe witchcraft involving the use of human organs can make them instant millionaires or provide protection. (Writing by Tume Ahemba; Editing by Stephen Weeks)
That kind of horror reminds me of the Aztecs.
Just another get rich quick scheme.
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