Witchcraft and Killing in Rivers State: Nobody Can Hamper the Progress of Others Through Magical Means -By Leo Igwe

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches is saddened by the brutal murder of Chidiebere Isaiah by a relative, Nwalozie Chiwendu, following an accusation of witchcraft in Ofeh, Rivers State, in Southern Nigeria. The tragic news reached AfAW on February 15, 2026. AfAW contacted The Punch and Vanguard correspondents in Port Harcourt for the phone number of the youth president of the Ofeh community in Omuma Local Government Area. Through an advocate in the state, AfAW contacted a legal counsel from the community who confirmed the incident and has volunteered to facilitate any intervention. This legal counsel said he knew the victim and the suspected murderer very well. As reported, Chiwendu accused and murdered Isaiah for being responsible for his lack of progress. The legal counsel stated that Chiwendu dropped out of primary school. He never went to secondary school. “How did he expect to make significant progress and become rich if he was not educated?” He queried.

Chiwendu reportedly fled after the incident. The local police claimed that he was at large. As in previous cases in Rivers state, this matter will fizzle out after a while. The police stated that the investigation was ongoing, but that was all that would be heard about the case. There are no indications that the police are taking the case seriously, that they are tracking the suspect, or that they will bring him to justice soon. Witch persecution persists in the region due to impunity and lack of accountability, due to a failure of the police and the justice system. Last year, the police in Rivers state refused to prosecute pastors arrested for abusing children during exorcism and ritual cleansing in the state. All efforts and pressures on police authorities to bring these violators to justice came to nothing.

Meanwhile, advocates have been reacting and expressing their outrage following the horrific murder of Isaiah. One advocate stated, “See what ignorance has done: a tragedy for that community and the family. One brother is dead, and another brother is certainly going to be hanged for murder. Terrible!. Meanwhile, the pastors who preached this rubbish mentality into his ignorant head are walking about free, indoctrinating other ignorant people”. Another noted: “This is evil. So you claim to do something good by killing your brother because he is a witch, and you are running? You are not supposed to run away; rather, you should stay so we can tell you what a hero you are. Witchcraft does not exist. Say no to witch-hunts”. Furthermore, one advocate described the incident as: ” Absolutely tragic. No one should ever be killed over superstition or accusations of witchcraft. Education, awareness, and justice are the only answers. End the witch hunts now”.

Local sources informed AfAW that Isaiah had a wife and four children. His first child just finished secondary school. AfAW plans to visit the community and meet with family and community members to understand what happened and explore ways of supporting the family of the deceased during these difficult moments. Advocates will continue to pressure the police to bring the suspect to justice. Witchcraft accusations and jungle justice are against the law. The inability of the police to enforce the law drives these abuses.

In addition, AfAW will organize public awareness programs to reorient the minds of people in Rivers State. AfAW will educate the public to understand that nobody can harm, frustrate, or undermine the progress of others through magical or occult means.

That such a belief is superstitious and based on fear and ignorance!

Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches.