Fear of witches and the supernatural is not a new phenomenon. World history is littered with frenetic witch hunts that ended up deadly for those accused of the practice. In the new millennium the practice of witch hunting has somewhat disappeared but, has continued in isolated parts of Africa.
Akwa Ibom state, in Nigeria’s embattled Niger Delta region, is a hotbed of the terrible practice of child witch-branding and child-witch hunts. As reported by the Mail & Guardian Online (“Children are targets of Nigerian witch-hunt” , 09 December 2007) that there are a large number of churches in the small town of Esit Eket in Akwa Ibom. There are “pastors” and prophets that are experts in exorcisms and identification of witches who are blamed for almost all social ills. “[A]n exploitative situation has now grown into something much more sinister as preachers are turning their attentions to children -- naming them as witches. In a maddened state of terror, parents and whole villages turn on the child. They are burnt, poisoned, slashed, chained to trees, buried alive or simply beaten and chased off into the bush.”
What are the Roots of the Problem?
The Mail & Guardian article points out the root of these practices is not, as one would expect, old tribal beliefs but rather, “American and Scottish Pentecostal and evangelical missionaries of the past 50 years who have shaped these fanatical beliefs”. The article quotes a preacher of the Liberty Gospel Church, Pastor Joe Ita, who says: "We base our faith on the Bible, we are led by the Holy Spirit and we have a programme of exposing false religion and sorcery." The Liberty Gospel Church has nearly 60 branches across the Niger-Delta and its originator, Helen Ukpabio, is credited with helping spread the belief of child witchcraft.
Stephen Gbadamosi (“ Brand a child a witch/wizard in Akwa-Ibom, make N400,000” in the Nigerian Tribune on the 4th February 2009) notes that “some prophets make a living by branding children witches”. Despite the Child Rights Bill being passed in the state, its complete implementation has been lagging behind.
A number of analysts and researchers working in the field agree that root of the problem is poor socio-economic conditions. Although, Akwa Ibom is part of the oil rich Niger Delta, there oil wealth has not trickled down to its populace. Furthermore, the state is poorly developed with little economic opportunity. Enterprising conmen use this suffering to turn parents against their parent against their own children with devastating and ghastly consequences.
One can only agree, however, with the observation made in the Gbadamosi article : “[I]f the Akwa Ibom case is not quickly arrested, it has the tendency to spread to other parts of the country.”
