Zamfara: Group Reveals Octogenarian Brutally Attacked Over Witchcraft Allegations

An 85-year-old woman residing in Zamfara State reportedly endured severe physical assault, including being stripped n*de, following accusations of witchcraft. The allegations were made by a new mother whom the elderly woman had visited. This disturbing incident was brought to light on Friday by the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) through a statement from its Director, Leo Igwe.

Igwe detailed that the Zamfara State office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had provided AfAW with an audio recording of the event on August 18, 2026. He explained that the octogenarian had gone to offer felicitations to a woman who had just delivered a baby, at which point the new mother supposedly labeled her a witch. Despite the elderly woman's denial, the accusation quickly drew the attention of a crowd, which then allegedly launched an attack on her.

Narrating the ordeal, Igwe quoted, “A mob gathered and started pelting her with stones, beating her with pestles and sticks. In the process, she sustained serious injuries, and blood was gushing out from her head and hand. The mob dragged her on the floor, pushed her into the toilet, hit her with the toilet seat, and threatened to kill her if the baby died.”

The AfAW director further indicated that the assailants reportedly stripped the victim, subjected her to multiple slaps, and compelled her to repeatedly step over the newborn as a test of her innocence against the witchcraft claim. When she questioned how she was supposed to perform the requested action, the woman was beaten and faced death threats. Igwe stated, “She complied and stepped over the baby. They forced her to repeat the act multiple times. The mob forced her to do the same to the mother of the baby.”

He also mentioned that the perpetrators deliberated on summoning a traditional priest to ascertain her alleged witchcraft and even considered taking her to a police station. Ultimately, the woman was transported to a hospital for medical attention and was later discharged. However, Igwe noted that the accusations and maltreatment persisted even after her release from the hospital. The victim reportedly identified several of her assailants as family members she had known for a significant period. He added, “The victim is now asking for justice. The photo made available to AfAW showed the woman weeping with a bruised face and injuries all over her body.”

AfAW, he stated, subsequently reached out to the NHRC office on multiple occasions, seeking further details and offering to extend legal and humanitarian aid to the woman. According to Igwe, the organisation was informed that family members of the victim had obstructed attempts to provide her with support, citing a desire to keep the incident out of the public domain. He characterized this event as indicative of a wider trend where individuals, especially women, accused of witchcraft endure violence from their relatives or community members, often without receiving justice.

Igwe emphasized, “Many alleged witches, especially women subjected to torture and persecution, suffer a similar fate. They are left to lick their wounds and die with the trauma. Family members, who in many cases are among the accusers and tormentors, block efforts to secure justice and seek redress. The pattern must be disrupted.”

Igwe appealed to the Zamfara State Government to step in and guarantee that the aged woman obtains justice and appropriate assistance. He further implored law enforcement bodies to thoroughly investigate the matter and prosecute all individuals implicated in the alleged assault. He stated, “She is physically and psychologically hurt and needs justice to heal and realise closure. Those who accused and subsequently subjected her to horrific abuse should not get away with their crimes. They should be arrested, prosecuted, and jailed.”

Igwe asserted that claims of witchcraft should never serve as a justification for violence or as a shield for those who perpetrate such acts from facing consequences. He declared, “These serious violations should not be excused or swept under the carpet. The public should speak out and make sure that alleged witches do not continue to suffer and die in silence. Witch persecution persists because of impunity, because persecutors are not penalised.”

In a related development, Abubakar Yazid, the Public Relations Officer for the Zamfara State Police Command, confirmed that the incident had not been formally reported to the police. Yazid communicated via text message to our correspondent, stating, “This incident was not reported to the police but with this we are going to find out and do the necessary.”