By Leo Igwe
State authorities should penalize parents and guardians who accuse or abuse their children or wards in the name of witchcraft.
A recent incident in Bayelsa necessitated this appeal. In this case, a police officer reportedly accused the children of witchcraft and horrifically abused them. In a report circulated on social media with photos of the abused children, this officer, Sunday Idey, tortured and inflicted serious injuries on the three children for belonging to a witch coven. The Advocacy for Alleged Witches contacted the police public relations officer and an official of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Bayelsa state, who confirmed the incident. According to the report, Idey is currently in police custody, while the children have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
In a related development, a 42-year-old man reportedly poisoned his three sons, whom he accused of witchcraft. One prophet, George Odoko, of George Odoko Outreach Ministries, claimed that the children were responsible for the man’s illness. In reaction, the man gave the children some poisonous substance, Sniper, and they died. These reports are only a tip of the iceberg of parental abuse of children suspected of being witches.
It is important to note that children of witch-believing parents are endangered. As in the two cases, the children are at risk of being abused. Parents who suspect or accuse their children of witchcraft maltreat them with impunity. They beat, starve, or subject them to violent exorcism. Parents abandon or murder these children.
Unfortunately, these incidents are seldom reported to the police. And cases reported to the police are rarely charged in a court. Suspects are seldom convicted. So perpetrators are not punished. Once arrested, witch hunters bribe and force police and court officials to stop investigating or prosecuting the cases. And in most cases, the police and court officers yield to the pressure. The police and court officials should stop enabling child witch-hunting by parents and guardians.
In the case of Idey, the police have arrested him, and the investigation is ongoing. As in other cases, the matter will likely die at the police level, especially in this case, the perpetrator is a police officer. It is expected to fizzle out soon.
The Advocacy for Alleged Witches urges state authorities to end this culture of impunity and rise to their constitutional duties and responsibilities. Under the Nigerian law, there are provisions, including the child rights law, to prosecute and punish parents who abuse their children in the name of witchcraft. These provisions should be invoked and enforced. AfAW implores the police and the government in Bayelsa state to ensure that the case of Idey is diligently investigated and prosecuted. His conviction will serve as a deterrent to other witch believing parents and guardians.
Children depend on their parents for love and support. Parents are obliged to protect their children from harm and abuse. It is a serious crime for parents to abuse their children. It is a betrayal of the law and the Constitution for state authorities to fail in penalizing these parents. In addition to prosecuting and jailing Mr Idey, the state should take away the custody of the children. The government should make it clear that there are serious consequences for parents and enablers of witchcraft accusations and abuse of children. In the coming days and weeks, AfAW will work with FIDA, NHRC, and other agencies in Bayelsa to educate and enlighten witchcraft believers and support these children and other victims of witch hunts in the state.
Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches