According to Reuters, the Togo art of decapitation is alive and well. 12 people dead.

It appears that the protagonists of recent ritual murders think that by removing other people's body parts, they will improve their own social standing and feel better about themselves! Each to their own.

Unlike the selective Western approach to improved self-esteem - nip and chin tucks, ear trims and nose jobs on your own body - the Togoans prefer the one cut suits me approach. The slash and run murders have left a dozen people headless, and left millions of us civilised folks shaking our heads in disbelief. If decapitation of another human being really were the answer to feling better about yourself better, don't you think it would have caught on here a long time ago?

Perhaps we did try it out, but our ancestors wimped out and drew the line at the saying Two heads are better than one.

Perhaps in voodoo land they have it right. Afterall, why let a 12 year old child live a full life when a deluded murderer could have a better time of it with the innocent kid's head hanging on his bedroom wall.

All very disturbing, and to ease the pain for the millions who don't know where Togo is, it is next to Nigeria.