Ritual Child Killings Spread Alarm, Anger in Ivory Coast At least 21 children have been kidnapped in Ivory Coast since Decemb

Ritual Child Killings Spread Alarm, Anger in Ivory Coast
   At least 21 children have been kidnapped in Ivory Coast since December and most have been found dead with their bodies mutilated in a wave of ritual killings some residents fear may be linked to upcoming elections.
   Police Chief Brindou Mbia said security forces had been placed on high alert after the spate of child abductions, but he declined to speculate what was behind the killings.
   In the commercial capital Abidjan, where at least three children have been abducted, residents expressed concern for the safety of their young ones.
   Many said the kidnappings were likely linked to ritual killings by corrupt businessmen and politicians, who used body parts in ceremonies supposed to confer supernatural powers.
   Local people held that those were mystical and occult practices. It was about black magic and the kidnappers needed these human sacrifices to get money and power.
   Presidential and possibly legislative elections are scheduled to take place toward the end of the year in the world’s largest cocoa producer and the economic motor of francophone West Africa.
   A spate of child abductions was recorded ahead of elections years ago.
   The kidnappings have led to calls for action from the U. N. Children’s agency UNICEF, which urged authorities to do everything possible to quickly identify those responsible.
   UNICEF’s representative in Ivory Coast, Adele Khudr, showed his deep concern in a statement that " UNICEF is deeply worried by the kidnapping of children and the mutilated bodies that have been found,"
   Dominique Ouattara, the wife of President Alassane Ouattara, appealed on Monday for the Interior Ministry to take action to protect children. She said, " Let us avoid leaving children unwatched. "