Despite numerous campaigns against harmful traditional practices and inhumane treatments that deprive citizens of their rights, some of these practices continue to cause chaos in communities across Igboland, tearing once-peaceful villages apart. One of the most damaging practices currently in some Igbo communities is the rampant accusations of witchcraft and diabolism, which have led to violence, dehumanization, and displacement.

Witchcraft and Diabolism: A Deep-Rooted Problem in Igboland

In many parts of Ebonyi State, accusations of witchcraft and diabolism are causing untold harm to innocent people. These allegations are often used as pretexts for mob attacks, torture, and even killings, particularly by youths in rural areas.

Victims, often elderly or vulnerable members of the community, are accused of causing the death of others or bringing misfortune through occult practices. Some of these claims are believed to be false, with individuals or families using witchcraft accusations to settle personal scores or gain control of land and properties.

Reports of Dehumanization and Banishments

Multiple reports from areas such as Izzi, Okposi, Afikpo, Ohaukwu, and others in Ebonyi State have detailed horrific incidents of physical abuse, torture, and banishment. In some cases, victims were stripped naked, paraded publicly, and forced to drink poisonous concoctions to “prove” their innocence.

One of the most striking cases involves Joseph Agwu, a 70-year-old man from Ekwashi, Ngbo in Ohaukwu LGA. Agwu was tortured, tied with palm fronds, and paraded around the community after being accused of causing the deaths of several people through diabolism. His properties, including his two houses, were set on fire, and he was banished from his community for five years, despite the traditional ruler’s intervention.

Agwu narrates his experience: “I am not a wizard, I am a good farmer. They just conspired against me to take over my lands.”

He claims that his brother falsely accused him of confessing to killing family members, a claim which he denies.

Other Cases of Witchcraft Accusations

• Nnennaya Donatus-Chukwu from Mebiokpa Amaeke, Okposi was accused of killing her husband’s nephew, Innocent Chukwu, through witchcraft. Innocent died in a road accident but was still accused by the community, leading to her beating, banishment, and the destruction of her family’s property. Despite being innocent, she was subjected to an oath-taking ritual, which forced her to drink water used to wash the body of the deceased to prove her innocence.
• In Afikpo, Kingsley Ibeh was accused of diabolism, leading to him being publicly humiliated, stripped naked, and paraded by the community.
• Mrs. Onwe Nwamaka and her children were banished after her husband was accused of witchcraft. The villagers also destroyed their crops and property, leaving the family to survive on charity.

Community Leaders Speak Out

Several community leaders, including the traditional ruler of Ngbo, Eze Godwin Ugadu Ogba, have condemned these actions, calling them barbaric, wicked, and unconstitutional. Despite their efforts to intervene, the perpetrators continue to defy traditional authority, violating both cultural norms and human rights.

Eze Ogba stated: “There is no law in Nigeria that permits what they are doing. I will not allow them to continue dehumanizing people.” He emphasized his commitment to working with NGOs and human rights groups to end these harmful practices.

Government and Civil Society Interventions

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and other NGOs have taken an interest in these rights abuses. Efforts are underway to address the situation, although local communities are still facing significant challenges in curbing these dangerous practices.

Call for Justice and Accountability

Victims of these abuses, like Joseph Agwu and Nnennaya Donatus-Chukwu, have pleaded with the government, human rights organizations, and NGOs for justice and protection. They demand that the perpetrators of these acts be brought to book and that measures be put in place to stop this harmful tradition.

Conclusion

The continued prevalence of witchcraft accusations and diabolism-related violence in Igboland represents a serious human rights crisis that needs urgent attention from the Nigerian government and relevant authorities. While some progress has been made, much remains to be done to ensure that these destructive practices are eradicated and that victims receive justice and protection from further harm.