By Adedotun Ajayi

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Can a man’s genitals be stolen? Although it may seem impossible,  that’s the question begging for an answer, following the growing cases of stolen genitalia all over the country.

A staggering statistics has emerged in Abuja alone as the Federal Capital Territory Police Command reported 62 cases of alleged mysterious disappearances of male genitalia across the region. The FCT Commissioner of Police, Haruna G. Garba, disclosed this during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters  last Friday.

He called on the residents of the territory to collaborate with law enforcement officers to ensure the city remains free of criminal activities.

He stated, “The first incident of male organ disappearance was  recorded in Gwagwalada on  September 21, 2023, and it has since occurred throughout the FCT. As of today, there have been a total of 62 reported cases.

Apart from Abuja, a middle-aged man accused by a mob to be a manhood thief was attacked and beaten to a stupor in Lokoja last month.

According to an eyewitness, Idris Abubakar, the incident happened when the suspect visited a shop behind Dunamis Church in Lokoja to buy bread.

The sources added that confusion started when the shop owner felt a shock in his body and thereafter touched his manhood, only to discover that his manhood had disappeared.

Upon screaming and crying for help, neighbours and passersby attacked the suspect and gave him a thorough beating.

The eye witness further said the suspect confessed to the crime after the thorough beating and expressed joy that the manhood of the shop owner was later restored.

Likewise, another case was reported at Ganaja Village in Lokoja, Kogi State, where a passenger cried out after being touched by a fellow passenger in a tricycle. The passenger suspected to have stolen the victim’s manhood was attacked and beaten blue and black, but he refused to accept responsibility for the action.

A resident of Lokoja who was arrested by the police, 27-year-old Jamilu Mohammed, confessed to “stealing” people’s private parts for his own amusement, claiming that he used this bizarre act as a means to punish those he considered enemies.

In a conversation with the media, he was adamant that he wasn’t involved in ritualistic activities but identified himself as a “mystic enthusiast” who engaged in the peculiar act of temporarily relocating people’s organs for his own thrill.

His explanation went like this: “I do not steal people’s genitals for ritual purposes. All I do is temporarily deprive people I dislike or those who have angered me of their organs to make them suffer, before eventually returning them.”

Jamilu emphasized that no one had ever coerced him into these actions; it was something he willingly did for his own amusement, and he consistently restored the removed organs to their owners.

Previously, Jamilu worked as a cleaner at the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in Minna and also coached a local youth team in the Bosso area of Minna, where he trained young boys aged 15 and above. His transition from an ordinary resident to a “mind freak” who engaged in such unusual activities shocked the community.

One of the victims, Abubakar Shehu, recounted his experience, explaining that he got involved when he tried to rescue Jamilu from an angry mob. “I was only trying to save Jamilu from being lynched by the mob when I discovered that my manhood had disappeared after physical contact with him. It was the quick intervention of the police, who advised me to check if my private part was intact, that saved me from losing it. Jamilu’s mystical incantations with his ring subsequently restored my manhood,” he said.

According to Musa Audu, the mob’s intention to kill Jamilu was driven by a series of reported cases of stolen manhood. He argued that such measures were necessary to serve as a strong deterrent for individuals engaged in the act, while also expressing concern about Jamilu’s allegations that he was acting under the influence of a body parts syndicate for ritual purposes. Musa stressed that these claims were untrue and suggested that, as the elections drew nearer, politicians might be on the lookout for body parts to facilitate their political success, with Jamilu’s position as a football coach making him a vulnerable target for such sinister activities.

Also, in Akure, an 18-year old boy who doesn’t want his name in print, whose private parts were stolen, told The Hope his ordeal, maintaining that though it was not painful, it was traumatic, as the period of time it took for his private part to be restored was a harrowing experience.

He stated that initially he did not know what had become of his manhood until he touched himself and can’t feel could not anything. He said that when he realised that, he had to check himself since a strange man had touched him earlier.

“It was when I looked down on myself that I realised that my organ became smaller than usual. I had to run to my parents to alert them of what had happened so that I could get help.

The 18 year old who begged to be anonymous, however, confirmed that after some incantations, his missing manhood was restored and he was taken to the hospital where medical officials declared he was fit to function as a man.

In a world filled with mysteries, one peculiar and bewildering phenomenon has captured the spotlight ‘Manhood Theft.’ It’s a headline that grabs attention, elicits curiosity, and raises countless questions. The alarming rise in cases of alleged male organ disappearances has left communities on edge, and as we delve into this enigmatic trend, we unravel a story that is as astonishing as it is perplexing.

Speaking with The Hope, Ayodeji Ayanleye, a public health educator, said manhood theft in Nigeria is a deeply distressing issue that raises significant health concerns. He said from a medical standpoint, it is important to recognize that there is no scientific evidence supporting the actual theft of manhood. “What often occurs are psychological and physical health problems in individuals who believe they have fallen victim to such acts. These cases highlight the importance of addressing mental health and counseling services, as well as educating the public about the facts to prevent unnecessary panic and harm to individuals. Medical professionals should work alongside mental health experts to provide comprehensive care for those affected by these beliefs,” he said.

Sunday Olakunle, a clergy man, in his submission said while the issue of manhood theft is a concerning topic in Nigeria, it is essential for us to approach it with a balanced perspective.

According to him; “We must address the root causes, which often involve societal pressures and economic challenges that drive individuals to commit such acts. As a pastor, I encourage our communities to come together, show compassion, and support those who may feel desperate. It is through understanding and love that we can help heal the wounds that lead to these incidents, both for the victims and those who commit these acts.”

Hajiya Halima, a parent and resident of Akure, who expressed worry about the development, called on parents to watch their children and caution them against having illicit handshakes with people, adding that even casual body contacts should be discouraged.

She described as “disappointing” a situation where youths will put the lives of others in jeopardy only to get stipends for it, adding that politics is not a do or die thing, as she called for a new beginning in the quest to get power.