Diopka Had Dementia, Did Not Turn Into Bird in Delta State -By Leo Igwe

People who are suffering from dementia are at risk of being attacked and killed across the country, as illustrated by the case of Diokpa from Delta state. Some days ago, a video circulating on social media had this message: “This is Diokpa Okonkwor Nwaowu, the oldest man in Ogbe Ofu Quarters of Idumuje-Ugboko. He was found at the top of a roof in Uzebu Iko at 1 am. They first saw him as a bird, but he fell and turned into a human. This is the same man who, some years ago, people bought a goat from the wife when they killed the goat, different items were found in the stomach. A mirror, a padlock, and a chain, etc., were found in the goat’s stomach”. Imagine the mentality of the person who wrote this, and shared on the internet in this 21st century. This post was not an isolated comment by some uninformed fellow somewhere. The post reflects a pervasive mind set in Nigeria, and by extension Africa, a way of thinking that many African scholars and intellectuals subscribe to and are reluctant to critically engage. From the post, Diokpa had been accused before now. And in most communities, once a suspect, always a suspect.

Accused and not killed, it is a matter of time before one is reaccused. Diokpa was found on top of a roof by 1 am? They saw him appear as a bird, then he fell and turned into a human being? The post had no information regarding those who saw him land as a bird and then turn into a human being.

Meanwhile, the human rights officer who sent the video to AfAW was unsure about the location of the incident. From the accent, she stated that it occurred in Anambra. While contacting advocates in Anambra, I told her it was hogwash and a fabrication. And she replied: “A family was sleeping at night, around 1 am, they heard and sensed a large object had fallen on the roof of their house. They came out, and the old guy above rolled down from the roof and landed inside their compound. What do you think happened?” That seems credible. Isn’t it? Well that is usually the pattern. Those who hear these stories seldom interrogate or critically examine them. They tend to blindly believe and accept them as true, as facts. Like many Nigerians, nay Africans, the human right officer bought into the baseless narrative that people spiritually fly around at night to harm others. She thought there must be some truth in the make-believe that people turn into birds or snakes. I mean people turn into birds in this era and age?

Advocates in Anambra did not know any village by that name. One of them suggested that Idumuje-Ugboko was in the Delta state. AfAW reached out to advocates in Delta, and they confirmed the location. Without wasting any time, several calls were made to the community. Some people contacted the executive assistant of the chairman of the Aniocha North Local Government Area. An advocate rang up Sen. Ned Nwoko, who is from the area. I phoned the police area commander in Asaba. Fortunately, all the people contacted were cooperative and supportive. The police area commander in Asaba shared the contact of the DPO in Issele Uku. AfAW informed the DPO, and he immediately dispatched some officers to the village. He expressed readiness to rescue and convey Diokpa to the police clinic or the FMC in Asaba. The executive assistant to the chairman made available the contact of the councilor representing the area, who put the Advocacy for Alleged Witches in touch with the family of Diokpa.

Family sources said that the chief had intervened, and Diopka was taken to a clinic in the community for a check-up. In the same vein, Sen Ned Nwoko delegated someone to ensure that Diokpa receives some urgent care and support. In a related development, the local youth group released a statement. Signed by the president, Ifeanyi Okonkwo, and the secretary, Moemeke Joseph, the Ogbe-Ofu Youth Development Association condemned the abuse and maltreatment of Diokpa.

It stated: “With deep sorrow and utmost disappointment, we the youth of Ogbe-ofu write to condemn in the strongest terms the cruel and disgraceful assault on Diokpa Okonkwo Oru, a 97-year-old elder of our town and the oldest man in Ogbeofu village, who is currently suffering from dementia”. The youths in the community made it clear that this was a case of dementia, not occult flight, magical appearance and disappearance as stated in the social media post. The statement further noted: “It is painful and unacceptable that some youths from Ogbe Obi would descend so low as to flog, record, and publicly humiliate a helpless elder wandering due to age-related illness. Such conduct is an abomination and unacceptable by the youth of Ogbe-ofu. We don’t tolerate such barbaric acts in our village”. The youths called for: “Immediate identification of all individuals involved in this shameful act. Appropriate disciplinary action by the traditional council. An apology to Diokpa’s family and the Ogbe-ofu”.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches commends the youths of Ogbe-Ofu for their thoughtful and civilized response, especially for not taking the laws into their hands following the maltreatment of Diokpa. State authorities should take necessary measures to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and that this disgraceful and embarrassing incident does not repeat itself in the community and Delta State. People who suffer from dementia are endangered and need support. They are vulnerable because of superstitions associated with their health condition. As in the case of Diokpa, people who have dementia experience memory loss, difficulty in language and communication, changes in mood and behaviour. In many communities, people associate these symptoms with occultism and harmful magic. When people suffering from dementia are seen loitering on the streets, people brand them witches who are going or returning from the coven. So accused, people with dementia are attacked or killed, usually after they have been forced to confess and admit to having killed or harmed people through occult means.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches declares that people with dementia are not witches. They do not turn into birds and fly out at night as popularly believed. People with dementia have health challenges and should be treated with love, care, dignity, and respect.

Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches.