Kids Branded Witches Escape Lynching In C’River

Injuries inflicted on the kids

TWO kids were on Friday rescued at Ikot-Abasi-Effiom community in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State by a Calabar-based child’s rights organisation, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative.

The group was in the community to screen a movie titled ‘‘The Fake Prophet’ when its attention was drawn to the fate of the boy.

 A village source, Sunday Nta, disclosed that the two kids, aged 10 and seven, were about to be lynched by members of a church at Ikot-Abasi-Effiom, when the group, acting on a tip-off, rescued him.

 He said the kids were branded  witches following an allegation by a female family member that the kids had repeatedly attacked her in her dream and snatched her baby from the womb.

 Southern City News learnt that the allegation, which had initially led to ostracising the kids in the community, took a different dimension when the church, led by a prophet, bundled the kids into the bush for torture.

 It was gathered that an uncle of the boys, who rushed to the scene where the kids were already tied to a tree, made contacts for their rescue.

 Nta said, “The kids were stigmatised as soon as they were branded as witches. But the situation took a new dimension on Friday when the children were taken to the forest and tied to a tree.

 “They were battered and assaulted by some members of the family, leaving them with cuts and bruises all over their bodies.

 “Respite came the way of the children when an uncle, who arrived from town, demanded the release of the children with threats of calling the police and on learning of BRCI’s visit, took the children to the venue where, coincidentally, a movie was being screened.”

 Secretary of BRCI, Mr. James Ibor, said the kids had been taken to one of the community health centres in Ikot-Offiong-Ambai for treatment.

 “The rescued children have been taken to the Community Health Centre and we have paid the bills for them to be given proper medical attention.

 “We also ensured that the uncle who rescued them temporarily keep the children in his custody,” Ibor said.

 An assistant pastor of a church at Ikot-Offiong-Ambai community, Rev. Okon James, said churches ought not to promote the belief in witches.

James condemned abuse or torture of children on the grounds of being a witch.