Three kids accused of witchcraft escape lynching in Akwa Ibom

Following the death of their father, who was accused of witchcraft, three children were almost lynched by youths, who are residents of Unyenge, Mbo LGA, Akwa Ibom.

The siblings, 14-year-old Shedrack Esin, 10-year-old Israel Esin and 7-year-old Miracle Esin, were attacked after their father, Mr. Etim Esin, was killed by some unidentified persons on Monday, 8 September.

The intervention of a non-governmental organization, African Children Aid Education and Development Foundation (ACAEDF), saved the children from being lynched.



David Emmanuel, Project Director for ACAEDF, said his organisation had received information that the children were about to be attacked because the villagers believed that their father had passed the witchcraft to them.

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

Esin reportedly petitioned the police in July 2014, 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.
However, a resident of the town, Mr. Victor Asuquo, said it was difficult to ascertain if Esin was actually murdered.

Asuquo said, “I think he collapsed and died when he went out to urinate. Many people have died this way and it is irrational to often associate this kind of death to assassination. From what I heard, there were no sign that he was shot or attacked, except on his nose. Let the police investigate the matter so that we can know the end of this matter.”

Meanwhile, Etim Dickson, the police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom State, said he was yet to be informed of the incident.