Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
A non-governmental organisation, Advocacy for alleged Witches, has called on government and security agencies to prosecute witch hunting prophets, pastors and diviners, and other charlatans who impute occult harms in families and communities.
The group said witchcraft exorcists who conduct deliverance services, and claim to expel witches and demons have caused so much pain and deaths to innocent persons in the society who they label as witches.
They alleged that killing and victimisation of suspected witches is unlawful but has continued unabated because government has not paid serious attention to the problem.
Founder of the Organisation, Leo Igwe, stated this in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State during a stakeholders consultative forum.
He urged the state government to take proactive measures against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks in Ebonyi State.
He said: “Ebonyi State Government needs to take concrete steps to combat abuses and violations linked to witchcraft beliefs and ritual attacks.
“State and non-state actors must take legal and administrative measures, educational and political steps to address this menace. Witch hunting has become a sore on the social and moral conscience of the nation.
“It has been a source of pain, anguish and embarrassment to all who yearn for the progress and development of Nigeria and all of Africa. Incidentally, the response to abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs and ritual attacks has largely been reactive and ineffective.
“Witch hunting has not been treated with the urgency that it deserves. It is either there are no interventions or the interventions come too little too late.
“This has created a situation where perpetrators often get away with their crimes, where witch hunters assume that they are above the law. And this situation must change. And all hands must be on deck to realise this change.
“When it comes to abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs and ritual attacks, impunity must end. The rule of law must apply. Necessary sociocultural shifts must be made. There should be real consequences for witch hunting and related infractions.”
Mr Igwe acussed Police and other security agencies of not doing enough to prosecute those who carry out the acts to serve as a detterant.
He recalled a recent case in the state where a self styled prophet Ubadinma and other Christian witch hunters went to a village and staged a witch purging crusade.
“They incited violence, instigated attacks, caused injuries and displacement of accused persons including destruction of their houses and property.
“The police intervened made some arrests, but later released the suspects. Based on what we know at the moment, that matter is virtually dead. There have been no further actions, no more attempts to bring the perpetrators to justice. And there is no good reason for the justice delayed that is slowly turning into justice denied.
“In another incident here in Ebonyi, the police arrested 17 suspects for murdering one Uromchi Okorocha in Afikpo last month. People accused the deceased of killing some individuals in the community through “witchcraft and spiritual means.”
“As we speak there is no report on any progress on the case, no information regarding if and whether these suspects have been charged in a court or will ever be prosecuted as required by law.
“As usually the case, the police would detain them for some time, extort money from their relatives and then release them. The pattern of combating crimes linked to witchcraft beliefs is not helpful. It encourages impunity. And it has to stop.
“The pattern of response has mainly been reactive and must change. Proactive measures need to be taken. Witchcraft accusation is against the law. All who make accusations should be prosecuted and punished to serve as deterrence to others.
“Also to be prosecuted are witch hunting prophets, pastors and diviners, and other charlatans who impute occult harms in families and communities, all witchcraft exorcists who conduct deliverance services, and claim to expel witches and demons,” he said.
The Rights Advocate also called for sensitisation and re-orientation of the mindsets and beliefs of the people in the issue.
“We should not wait till another person is killed or attacked for witchcraft before we respond. We should not wait till another person’s body parts are harvested by ritualists before interrogating narratives that motivate ritual attacks.
“The government and people of Ebonyi should rise to the challenge and take educational measures to address these abuses. There should be an intensive public enlightenment program state wide because people who make accusations of witchcraft do so due to ignorance and mistaken ideas of the causes of death and diseases.
“People who engage in ritual attacks, killing and sacrifice do so due to cultural indoctrination and unreason. We must realise that nobody can kill or harm others through witchcraft, magic or any other spiritual means.
“Nobody has such powers. Nobody can make money, or progress in business, become rich or prosperous through magical or occult means.
“Nobody turns into birds or cats to suck blood at night, cause accident or destruction as we are often told by preachers. These are occult imaginaries rooted in fear, fantasies and yes superstition
“The Advocacy for Alleged Witches enjoins the public to join the campaign to stop witchcraft accusation and ritual attacks in their families and community. Everyone should become an advocate against these abuses and violations,” he added.
