WORLD : 150 Arrested for Sorcery Rumor
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LAGOS, Nigeria — Police arrested 150 people for spreading rumors that sorcerers have been stealing men’s genitals--rumors that led to at least three deaths, police said today.
Deputy Police Commissioner James Danbaba announced the arrests after rumors about the purported thefts swept the West African capital.
Mobs killed at least three people accused of stealing the organs. One policewoman who rushed to the aid of an alleged sorcerer was beaten by the crowd and remained in a coma.
According to the rumors, the alleged sorcerers approached strangers and asked them for directions. Later, the victims reportedly said their genitals were missing.
Police dismissed the reports after investigators examined the supposed victims, Danbaba said.
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