21 arrests in torso murder probe

10:51am Tuesday 29th July 2003

Detectives investigating the murder of a young African boy, whose torso was found in the Thames two years ago, have arrested 21 people in a massive police operation this morning.

More than 200 officers raided nine addresses across South East London and East London.

Detectives from Operation Maxim - the unit which targets organised criminals who are in the UK illegally - and officers from the “Adam” murder investigation organised the operation.

Detectives were acting on intelligence uncovered during their investigation into the murder.

Police believe the boy they named "Adam" was murdered as part of a ritual killing.

His torso was found near Tower Bridge in September 2001. Police believe "Adam" was aged between four and six.

Although it is thought the boy was murdered in London, forensic examinations revealed he had lived in a rural area in south-west Nigeria.

The police investigation has taken detectives to Nigerian villages where they went to found the boy's family.

Police have already arrested a 37-year-old Nigerian in connection with the murder.