-
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 【L1】______elections.
Police Chief Brindou Mbia said 【L2】______ had been placed 【L3】______ after the spate of child abductions, but he 【L4】______to speculate what was behind the killings.
In the 【L5】______ capital Abidjan, where at least three children have been abducted, residents expressed concern for the 【L6】______of their young ones.
Many said the kidnappings were likely linked to ritual killings by 【L7】______businessmen and politicians, who used body part 【L8】______supposed to confer supernatural powers.
Local people held that those were 【L9】______ and occult practices. It was about 【L10】______and the kidnappers needed these human sacrifices to 【L11】______.
Presidential and possibly legislative elections are 【L12】______take place toward the end of the year in the world’s largest cocoa producer and the 【L13】______ motor of francophone West Africa.
A spate of child abductions was recorded 【L14】______elections years ago.
The kidnappings have led to 【L15】______from the U. N. Children’s agency UNICEF, which urged 【L16】______to do everything possible to quickly identify those responsible.
UNICEF’s 【L17】______ in Ivory Coast, Adele Khudr, showed his deep concern in a statement that “ UNICEF is 【L18】______by the kidnapping of children and the mutilated bodies that have been found,“
Dominique Ouattara, the wife of President Alassane Ouattara, 【L19】______ on Monday for the Interior Ministry to take action to protect children. She said, “ Let us avoid leaving children 【L20】______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. “
-
Girl Shoots Instructor, Fueling Gun Debate
On August 25, an American family’s vacation went terribly wrong.
A man, his wife and their three children 【L1】______ at a shooting range in the 【L2】______of Arizona. At a shooting range, people pay to fire guns 【L3】______.
Charles Vacca 【L4】______ the business, called Bullets and Burgers. He helped the family’s 【L5】______shoot a submachine gun called an Uzi.
But the girl 【L6】______the weapon. At least one bullet 【L7】______Mr. Vacca in the 【L8】______. He fell to the 【L9】______. Later, he died of 【L10】______.
No one has been 【L11】______. In fact, the families of both Mr. Vacca and the girl have said they【L12】______for each other.
But the 【L13】______has made Americans talk once again about guns and children. In the United States, 【L14】______ bars anyone younger than 18 from owning a 【L15】______. But, many state laws give young people 【L16】______ to shoot all kinds of guns 【L17】______.
In general, most states 【L18】______children to hunt or use a gun when an adult is with them. But, no one is sure that even a 【L19】______ cannot protect a child who is 【L20】______shoot a gun safely.Girl Shoots Instructor, Fueling Gun Debate
On August 25, an American family’s vacation went terribly wrong.
A man, his wife and their three children stopped at a shooting range in the southwestern state of Arizona. At a shooting range, people pay to fire guns at targets.
Charles Vacca worked for the business, called Bullets and Burgers. He helped the family’s nine-year-old girl shoot a submachine gun called an Uzi.
But the girl lost control of the weapon. At least one bullet hit Mr. Vacca in the head. He fell to the ground. Later, he died of his injuries.
No one has been charged with a crime. In fact, the families of both Mr. Vacca and the girl have said they feel very bad for each other.
But the event has made Americans talk once again about guns and children. In the United States, federal law bars anyone younger than 18 from owning a handgun. But, many state laws give young people the right to shoot all kinds of guns under certain conditions.
In general, most states permit children to hunt or use a gun when an adult is with them. But, no one is sure that even a responsible adult cannot protect a child who is too young to shoot a gun safely.
