3 Children Accused Of Witchcraft Escape Lynching In Akwa Ibom

oge okonkwo

September 12, 2014 5:59 PM

The children were, however, rescued by African Children Aid Education and Development Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, which contacted the police

Three children, all siblings who were accused of witchcraft have escaped death as they were almost lynched by youths in the area.

The victims - 14-year-old Shedrack Esin, 10-year-old Israel Esin, and 7-year-old Miracle Esin, seven were attacked after their father, Etim Esin, was killed by some unidentified persons on Monday morning in Unyenge, Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State after he was accused of trying to use witchcraft to kill a resident of the area.

The children were, however, rescued by African Children Aid Education and Development Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, which contacted the police.

Project Director, ACAEDF, David Emmanuel, told The Punch on Thursday that his organisation received information that the children were about to be attacked because the villagers believed that their father had passed the witchcraft to them but were rescued swiftly by the police.

It was learnt that the late Etim had, on July 2014 through his solicitors, petitioned the police that his life was being threatened by some people on the allegation that he was a wizard trying to use his witchcraft power to kill one of their brothers.

On September 3, 2014, Etim was killed in his home around 4am by unknown assassins when he went out to urinate.The police in the area, however, said it could not establish if the death was in connection with the witchcraft allegation or not.

However, a resident of Unyenge, Mr. Victor Asuquo, said it was difficult to ascertain if Etim was actually murdered. He said,

It was gathered that the man, who the villagers accused Etim of trying to kill, died on Tuesday around 10.45pm.

It was further gathered that the police had handed over the three children to ACAEDF for care while investigation into their father murder and attempt on their lives continued.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State, Etim Dickson, said he was yet to be informed of the incident.

oge okonkwo