CLIFFORD ORJI: The Self-Confessed Human Eater

The case of Clifford Orji, a self-confessed human eater (and his accomplice) will remain indelible in the history of Nigeria. That was the story of a purported homeless ‘lunatic’ caught with several human body parts under the bridge in the Toyota area of Lagos on a certain afternoon in February 1999.

But for the weak cry of resistance of his female captive, who had also become his s3x slave, Orji, many agreed that would have perpetrated the act for much longer, as traders around the area suggested they hardly paid him any attention based on their perception of him as being mentally imbalance.

His arrest however helped put some puzzles in place, as his neighbours testified to perpetual aroma of burning meat, his hostility to everyone (apparently to make out to be mad and scare prying people) and – the regular visit of flashy automobiles, which suggested that Orji also traded in the parts to some powerful people in society for diabolical purposes.

However, after a hiatus of about a decade, it may seems like many criminally-minded people have begun copying the Orji model. Many, who have been taken for lunatics, have been caught ‘red-handed’ with human parts in tunnels, caves, bushes and other hidden places.

The Story Of Clifford Orji, Maniacal Man Eater Who Died In Lagos Prison

On August 11, 2017, a prolonged surveillance of a tunnel at Ile Zik Bus Stop area of Ikeja yielded results, as the police apprehended a ‘mad man’ attempting to enter the tunnel. In his possession was an iPhone, which created doubt about his identity and led to further arrest of three others.

According to the police, the surveillance had been precipitated by the sighting of what looked like a human liver not too far from the tunnel.

What could be described as a similar case unfolded a mere two weeks later on August 30, in the Challenge Area of Mushin, Lagos, as three suspected ritualists disguised as mad men, were apprehended at a nearby tunnel by a vigilant mob.

At the end of the day, one of them had been burnt alive while the other two were rescued by the police.

The head of Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps in Ojuwoye, Mr Adeleye Olayinka, told newsmen that the three suspect were sighted as they made to enter the drainage tunnel which led to a nearby moribund company by residents in the area, whereupon they raised the alarm that attracted a mob.

Syringes believed to be used in injecting their victims with sedatives were reportedly discovered in their hideout.

Until the arrests, residents in the area said the place used to smell so badly that people found it hard to pass through the area.

One of the suspects also reportedly disguised as a woman but removed the disguise when the mob descended on him.

The then Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, who frowned at the mob action, told newsmen that a mobile phone and an ATM card were also found on the suspects, while one of them carried blood stain on his body.

Several other such cases abound, including that of a fat woman, who moved around near naked for months in the Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos neighbourhood until she was apprehended with human body parts.

Putting two and two together, residents said she may have been responsible for missing humans in the area and especially the strong stench occasionally pervaded the Egbe bridge area, where she used to sit.

In Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, a man, Lekan Adebisi, who had been taken for a mad man, broke into St John’s School premises in Agodo on March 12, and beheaded two 4-year-old pupils: Mubarak Kalesowo and Sunday Obituyi, in broad daylight and thereafter bolted.

He was however arrested two days later in a nearby bush and on interrogation, confessed that he committed the act due to frustration of lack.

Many however believed he may have carried out the act for some ritual purposes.

As recently as December 12 last year, a man hitherto taken for a mad man, was apprehended at the popular Otokutu Bridge in Ughelli South Council Area of Delta State.

A human skull along with different types of GSM phones were discovered in his possession.

Members of a local vigilante group were said to have taken interest in him after he was spotted receiving phone calls like normal persons.

He was later handed over to the police.