Aged Woman Branded Witch Brutalized by Mob in Enugu Community

An elderly woman in Amanfu, Ugbawka, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, suffered severe and dehumanizing treatment after being accused of witchcraft. A disturbing video, which has since gone viral, captured the woman being paraded with palm fronds tied around her head. Reports accompanying the video alleged she was forced to consume faeces, which was also smeared on her body.

In response to this egregious incident, the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) has called upon the Enugu State Government to ensure the arrest and prosecution of all individuals involved in the brutalization of the woman. Dr. Leo Igwe, the Director of AfAW, released a statement to journalists in Owerri over the weekend, detailing the organization's actions.

Upon receiving the video on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, AfAW promptly alerted various key bodies, including the police, the Enugu State chapters of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), as well as journalists and civil society groups. The organization also dispatched a regional advocate to the community to verify the details of the incident.

The advocate, who visited Amanfu on Thursday, October 8, 2026, confirmed that the woman was accused by villagers of pouring faeces on the grave of her stepson’s deceased wife. When confronted, the woman reportedly admitted to the act, explaining that the late wife had been tormenting her in dreams, and the act was an attempt to stop the visitations. However, she vehemently denied any involvement in the deceased's death.

Further reports from the community indicate that the woman sought refuge at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Amanfu. Pastor Michael Chukwunonso Ezeude, the parish priest, confirmed to AfAW that approximately 30 women from the community stormed the church, demanding the woman's release to face “the laws of the community.” The cleric's attempts to mediate the situation were reportedly met with resistance.

The elderly woman later recounted her harrowing experience to the AfAW advocate, displaying injuries she claimed were sustained from flogging by the mob. She has since appealed for justice. Dr. Igwe strongly condemned the act, branding the treatment of the woman as barbaric, criminal, and a clear manifestation of gender-based violence rooted in dangerous superstitions.

“Advocacy for Alleged Witches condemns the abuse and maltreatment of this woman. Enugu State authorities should take custody of this woman, take her to a hospital for medical examination, and provide her counseling and rehabilitation. The authorities should arrest and prosecute those who mobbed and dehumanized her,” Dr. Igwe stated. He further emphasized that dream experiences are merely products of the subconscious during sleep and are not real, prophetic, or evidence of witchcraft. He urged Nigerians to abandon superstition-driven abuses and instead embrace scientific reasoning and critical thinking.

AfAW confirmed it is actively collaborating with the National Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Gender, and the police to ensure that justice is served for the victim and to prevent the recurrence of such degrading acts within the state.