Revenge Attacks and Witch Hunts in Ebonyi State -By Leo Igwe

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches condemns revenge attacks against relatives of an accused person in Ebonyi state. Reports reaching AfAW say that a mob has attacked the children of Thomas Eze from Aguebele in Ohaukwu. Eze is a victim of a witch hunt in his community and one of the witnesses in the prosecution of suspects. He has always feared that suspects and their relatives would attack him and his family members in retaliation for their arrest and prosecution. In the past weeks, Eze and other witnesses have urged the court not to release the suspects on bail. They told AfAW that the suspects had threatened to attack and kill upon their release. But the state prosecutor insisted that the offence was bailable.

Yesterday, some community leaders contacted AfAW, informing it about an attack in the community that targeted relatives of Thomas Eze. They sent photos showing serious wounds and the bloodied bodies of victims. One of the victims of the attack, Sunday, recounted to AfAW from his hospital bed what happened two days ago. According to him, he got a call that a local mob linked to those being prosecuted had assaulted one of his siblings and left him partially deaf. They slapped him on the ear, and he is unable to hear.

Sunday rushed to rescue his brother. But on reaching there, the mob attacked him with machetes and stabbed him with broken bottles. He bled profusely and collapsed. Some good-spirited individuals came and took him to the palace of the Igwe of the community and then to the hospital, where he is currently receiving some treatment. Sunday has made an entry at the local police station in Ohaukwu. The police said they would need to be mobilized before they could arrest the suspects. AfAW is supporting the medical treatment for Sunday and his brother.

AfAW has informed the commissioner of police and the police public relations officer in Ebonyi state about the incident, urging them to take necessary action. The police should proactive and not reactive in combating abuses linked to witch hunts. The state needs to take legal and administrative measures to end witch hunting, trial by ordeal, and jungle justice in the communities. Abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs and traditional oath taking are rampant and perpetrators get away with their crimes. Witch hunters and persecutors are not brought to justice. In most cases, justice is delayed and eventually denied.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches calls for the arrest and prosecution of those who perpetrated these savage attacks. AfAW urges the court to revoke the bail of all suspects involved in this horrific assault.

Let’s end witch hunts NOW!

Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches