LAGOS, Nigeria – The brutal murder of Mrs Martina, an elderly woman from Old Netim in Cross River State, has ignited a nationwide outcry and calls for immediate action against the deep-rooted problem of witchcraft accusations and mob justice in Nigeria.
On Saturday, June 24, 2023, Mrs Martina, who was locally known as Aki Iyak, was mercilessly killed after being accused of witchcraft by local youths.
The accusation was sparked by a tragic accident on June 13, which resulted in the deaths of two young men, Ojong Ogar and Asikpi Ogar.
Mrs Martina sought refuge at her daughter’s home, but the enraged mob pursued her there, seized her, and after torturing her into a forced confession, horrifically dismembered her and burnt her remains.
Leo Igwe, who directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW), penned a scathing condemnation of this heinous act delivered to The Trent on Monday, June 26, 2023.
“Witchcraft accusations and witch persecutions are pervasive in Cross River State,” stated Igwe.
He highlighted how communities often resort to attributing misfortunes such as accidents, illnesses, or deaths to witchcraft, influenced by local diviners and self-proclaimed prophets.
AfAW is urging the authorities to change their approach in dealing with such incidents.
The organization calls for state authorities to have a more significant presence in communities like Old Netim, where beliefs in witchcraft are deeply entrenched.
Mr Igwe urges state authorities to be vigilant and able to intervene promptly.
He further calls upon community leaders to be more proactive in preventing such tragedies.
“They should have called a meeting when the accident occurred and urged against witchcraft allegations and witch-hunting,” Igwe stated.
He stressed the importance of dispelling rumours before they escalate into violence.
In the case of Mrs Martina, Igwe believes that the community leaders, particularly the clan head Ntufam Richard Njong Orok, failed in their duty to protect a vulnerable member of their community.
As Nigeria mourns the tragic death of Mrs Martina, her gruesome killing is seen as a reminder of the urgent need for educational campaigns and legal reforms to protect those accused of witchcraft.
AfAW is committed to ending witchcraft accusations and witch persecutions in Africa. It is currently reaching out to the relatives of Mrs Martina to offer support in this harrowing time.
The gruesome nature of this incident has shocked the nation and the world, shedding light on an issue that has long been in the shadows. Many hope that this will be a turning point for reforms to protect the innocent and vulnerable from such baseless and devastating accusations.
