The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) has demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for humiliating an elderly woman accused of witchcraft in Amanfu, Ugbawka, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The woman was reportedly beaten, paraded with palm fronds tied around her head, forced to eat faeces and smeared with the substance. A video of the incident later went viral.
AfAW Director, Dr. Leo Igwe, condemned the attack in a statement issued to journalists in Owerri at the weekend, describing it as barbaric, criminal and gender-based violence driven by superstition.
According to Igwe, the organisation received the video on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, and immediately contacted the police, Enugu State chapters of the National Human Rights Commission, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), journalists and civil society groups.
AfAW also sent a regional advocate to investigate the incident. The advocate visited the community on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
Findings revealed that villagers accused the woman of pouring faeces on the grave of her stepson’s late wife.
After being apprehended and confronted, she allegedly admitted pouring the substance on the grave, claiming the deceased had repeatedly appeared in her dreams to torment her.
She reportedly explained that she wanted to end the torment but denied killing the deceased.
The woman later sought protection at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Amanfu, where the parish priest, Pastor Michael Chukwunonso Ezeude, confirmed that about 30 community women stormed the church demanding her release to face “the laws of the community.”
The women reportedly rejected the pastor’s attempts to intervene.
Speaking with the AfAW advocate, the elderly woman displayed injuries she allegedly suffered from being flogged by the mob and appealed for justice.
Igwe called for immediate government intervention, including medical treatment and protection for the victim.
“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,” Igwe said.
He explained that dreams are products of the subconscious mind during sleep, not real events, prophecies or proof of witchcraft.
Igwe urged Nigerians to reject harmful superstitious beliefs and embrace science, reason and critical thinking.
AfAW said it was working with the National Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Gender and the police to secure justice for the woman and prevent similar abuses in Enugu State.
