UK "torso case" police to visit Ghana

...they are now in Nigeria

Scotland Yard detectives have arrived in Nigeria as investigations continue into the death of a young boy whose torso was found in the River Thames last year.

The dismembered body of the five-year-old - named Adam by police - was found wearing only a pair of orange shorts near Tower Bridge in September 2001. It is believed to be the UK's first ritual murder.

Accompanied by a Nigerian forensic expert, the detectives will visit Southwest Nigeria, the inland capital, Abuja, and two other cities in the northern region as the inquiry continues.

Nigerian police spokesman Chris Olakpe said the detectives are attempting to determine the boy's country of origin.

Police have already visited South Africa where Nelson Mandela made a public appeal for information.

They may go on to Ghana from Nigeria. They have been unable to find out who Adam is, despite extensive inquiries and a ?50,000 reward.

British police believe he was killed in London but that he originally came from Africa.

Scotland Yard discovered seven half-burned candles wrapped in a white sheet washed up on the southern shore of the Thames.

A name Adekoye Jo Fola Adeoye was written on the sheet and Fola Adeoye was inscribed on the candles. Both names are common among the Yoruba of southewst Nigeria.

Detectives have not linked the sheets and candles to the death, but are now looking at whether the death was a ritualistic murder.

Ritualistic murder is common in parts of Nigeria, where many believe witchcraft involving the use of human body parts can awaken supernatural forces to make them instant millionaires.