Spiritual Practitioner’ Arrested Over Alleged Ritual Killing of 20-Year Old Woman in Senegal

A traditional spiritual practitioner in Senegal has allegedly confessed to the killing of a 20-year old woman in Tivaouane, reportedly as part of a ritual he believed would make him wealthy.

The suspect, identified as B. Ndiaye, was arrested by officers of the Tivaouane urban police station after the body of Ndèye Bigué Sène, a 20 year old student, was discovered in a bush on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

According to local reports, investigators said the suspect admitted that another practitioner, identified only as “Coulibaly”, instructed him to lure a young virgin, administer an unknown substance, stab her, collect her blood and strangle her.

The victim had reportedly travelled to Tivaouane for religious celebrations and was said to have known the suspect, who had previously offered her spiritual assistance while she prepared for her 2026 baccalaureate examinations.

Investigators reportedly traced the suspect after neighbourhood inquiries and analysis of mobile phone records showed that he had contacted the young woman and arranged a meeting with her.

She reportedly left home at about 8 p.m. on August 21, while her body was discovered the following afternoon.

Police said the victim sustained multiple stab wounds. When confronted with the evidence gathered during the investigation, the suspect allegedly confessed to the killing but denied raping the victim.

The case remains under investigation as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the death and determine whether other persons were involved.