Cross River Man Sets Mother Ablaze Over Witchcraft Accusation

A middle-aged man, identified as Emmanuel Akposi, has been declared wanted by the police after allegedly setting his elderly mother ablaze over accusations that she was responsible for the death of his child.

The incident occurred on Friday, August 14, in Ojo community, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State. The victim, identified as Mrs Atim Akposi, also known as Atim Eyo, suffered severe burns and was taken to a community health centre before being transferred to Akamkpa General Hospital and later the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where she died on Monday.

Family sources said the suspect had accused his mother of witchcraft for several years, alleging that she was responsible for the death of his child.

According to the victim’s elder son, Eyo Akposi, Emmanuel allegedly attacked their mother inside her room before pouring fuel on her and setting her ablaze. He reportedly fled the scene immediately after the incident, while neighbours raised the alarm and helped evacuate the victim.

“Before now, he had been accusing our mother for years of being a witch. He told people that some pastors told him that our mother was a witch.

“He even accused her of being the cause of the death of his child. He confronted her many times, trying to kill her, until the incident of last week,” he alleged.

Eyo said that on the day of the incident, Emmanuel entered their mother’s room and allegedly attempted to strangle her.

“On that day, he entered her room and tried to strangle her. When she resisted, he hit her and she fell to the ground. Then he poured fuel on her and set her on fire and fled immediately afterwards,” he said.

He added that neighbours raised the alarm and assisted in moving the victim to hospital after witnessing the incident.

Eyo said he was informed of the attack after a video of the incident was sent to him, adding that he subsequently advised family members to transfer the victim from Akamkpa General Hospital to UCTH for further treatment.

“When they sent the video to me, because I don’t live in the same place with them, I told them to move her from the hospital in Akamkpa to UCTH, where she died,” he said.

According to him, the incident had been reported to the Uyanga Divisional Police Station in Akamkpa, which had commenced investigation and launched a manhunt for the suspect.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches, AfAW, has condemned the incident, describing it as a tragic consequence of witchcraft accusations and superstition.

The organisation’s Director, Leo Igwe, said the woman’s death highlights the dangers faced by people accused of witchcraft and called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the suspect.

AfAW also urged churches and religious leaders to avoid narratives that could promote witch-hunting, violence and attacks against people accused of witchcraft.