"The woman positions the child between her legs and uses one hand to block the child's nose," Nigerian professor Ignatius Onimawo told the outlet. "The child has no option but to open its mouth. Then porridge is poured into the child's mouth, forcing it to swallow."

"The practice is dreadful and has, on numerous occasions, led to the death of children here in Nigeria," Onimawo added.

While it has typically not made its way north to Europe, such rituals are practiced in certain communities with roots in Africa.