A United States–based man, Mr. Hilary Otti, has been accused of destroying the house of his elder brother, Mr. Joseph Otti, following allegations of witchcraft.
The incident reportedly occurred on December 27, 2025, at Ndionyeaguru Village in Awa Autonomous Community, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to reports, properties and farm crops belonging to Mr. Joseph Otti were destroyed by thugs allegedly hired by Mr. Hilary Otti, who accused his elder brother and his wife, Mrs. Oby Otti, of practising witchcraft.
Narrating his ordeal to journalists in Owerri, Mr. Joseph Otti, who is blind, said the attack left his family homeless. He alleged that his eight children were beaten, while his wife was detained at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, popularly known as Tiger Base, Owerri, for five days.
Mr. Otti explained that the crisis began when his wife sought assistance from family members, including his younger brother, to save their son who sustained a severe injury during a football match. He said all efforts to get medical or financial assistance failed.
Out of fear of losing his son, Mr. Otti said he sought help from a native doctor, who carried out a traditional healing process known in Igbo as Agwu and gave him a charm which he kept in his backyard.
He stated that his son was recovering after the intervention when his younger brother returned home for Christmas and allegedly hired thugs on December 27 to destroy his house, properties, and farm crops.
“As if that was not enough, on December 28, Hilary invited police officers from the Tiger Base in Owerri. They beat me and my children and took my wife away,” he alleged.
Mr. Otti further claimed that he paid ₦150,000 to secure his wife’s release after she spent five days in police custody.
He said his family is currently being sheltered by a friend in Owerri, lamenting that the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Ihezie Felix Ononuju, has refused to intervene in the matter.
The victim appealed to the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, and the Imo State Government to intervene, expressing concern over his inability to rebuild his home and fear for his life and that of his family if they return to the village.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW), Dr. Leo Igwe, said the organisation was outraged by what he described as the mishandling of the case by the police.
Dr. Igwe stated that the police intervention resulted in the double victimisation of the accused persons.
He called on the Commissioner of Police, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and other relevant agencies to investigate the matter, ensure justice for the victims, and hold officers found culpable accountable.
“We cannot successfully address allegations of witchcraft in this country when police officers work with such complaints to doubly victimize those they are supposed to protect,” he said.
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