Press release from the Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network.
Human Rights Groups Call for Week of Social Media Activism Against Witch-Hunts in Cross River State, Nigeria
A group of Nigerian and International Human Rights groups have called for support from people across the world to help put a stop to renewed witch-hunting in Cross River State, Nigeria. The call has come in response to the launch of a new crusade by renowned pastor – Lady Apostle Helen Ukpabio – entitled “Witches on the Run”.
Ukpabio has received severe criticism in recent years for promoting the belief that children can be witches with evidence linking her church to horrific cases of child abuse in this region. In 2009 and 2010 she unsuccessfully sued child rights groups working to protect such children and sent her supporters to beat up human rights activist – Leo Igwe – when he organised a conference to raise awareness of these abuses. Aside from preaching about the existence of child witches in her churches, Ukpabio has also produced a number of books and nollywood films on this issue. In one of her books, ‘Unveiling The Mysteries of Witchcraft’, she states that: “If a child under the age of two screams in the night, cries and is always feverish with deteriorating health he or she is a servant of Satan”.
According to Gary Foxcroft, Executive Director of the Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network (WHRIN): “What Ukpabio fails to mention in her teachings is that such health symptoms are common in Southern Nigeria, which has high rates of malaria and other health challenges. Her latest crusade on this issue highlights her desire to continue to exploit the weak and vulnerable. We call upon people around the world to contact the Cross River State Government and urge them to take action to stop this latest witch-hunt.”
Speaking from Cross River State, Nigeria, Human Rights Lawyer – Barrister James Ibor – from the Basic Rights Counsel further appealed for support to stop the flood of victims of this abuse that his organisation has to deal with. Cases documented by Basic Rights Counsel include ones where children have had a hot iron placed on them, oil poured over them or have been forced to drink dangerous concoctions in order to drive the “witchcraft” out. Some cases have led to the death of innocent children. Ibor said: “Ultimately, her acts are illegal under section 216 of the Nigerian Criminal code. Yet so far there have been no interventions by the State or Police. We therefore need all the support we can gather to put a stop to this campaign of terror”.
The use of social media such as facebook and twitter is growing in Nigeria and the Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, can be contacted directly at @LiyelImoke or https://www.facebook.com/LiyelImoke. Cross River State paints itself as the hub of tourism in Nigeria and the State Government can be contacted at @crossriverstate. Supporters are being urged to contact them directly and demand that this witch-hunt be stopped. The groups suggest the following tweets: “Please take action to #stopthewitchhunt by Helen Ukpabio. Cross River State’s good name is being tarnished and children abused.” Or “Enough is enough. Child witch hunting in Cross River must be stopped. Please hold Helen Ukpabio to account. #stopthewitchhunt”.
For further information contact Gary Foxcroft – gary@whrin.org or call +44 (0)7403973964
Perhaps advertisements for tourist attractions- “Come to Cross River and torture children!” “Join in a witch Hunt! Cheaper and safer than lion hunts!” or “Nobody expects the Nigerian Inquisition- an equal opportunity employer!”- would have an effect.
Some cases have led to the death of innocent children.
For many in deep poverty and unable to support/endure a(nother) child, that counts as a feature, not a bug.
Europeans used to do the same thing, particularly using the myth of “changelings” – declare the baby has been swapped out by an impostor, leave it out in the woods overnight with suitable magic charms: if it’s still there the next day, the charms have forced the spirits to return the original, otherwise, you’re free of the demon. Works a treat in wolf/feral dog country…
Why is she allowed? Why isn’t she arrested?
Lots of people have posted on the Governor’s Facebook page but given that they’re out-of-state and in many cases out-of-country I’m not sure how much of an impact it will have. Is there anything that can be done to help people at ground level?
p.s. Michael Shermer. This is a witch hunt.
We stopped this woman in 2012 from coming to the US. She has an affiliate church in Houston TX.
We must never relent against this extreme ignorance. There is no such thing as a witch. Not really. No matter what they say. It is just fantasy.
Witch has being in existence right frm the time of old even ur till now, they kill people untimely in other to attend higher post in their witchcraft world. There is this case in my area where an old woman confessed that she is a witch & that she has be witched 85 children so even with this confession, it is believed that witch exist.
There are no witches, Gold Bill. There are no bewitched children. The only thing that is true about witches is that many people believe they exist. These people think, “we believe, therefore it is true”. They will hurt an old woman till she screams whatever they want her to say. When they force her to say she is a witch, that is what they want to believe, so they believe her. The truth is that they have tortured an old woman. They are cruel and afraid of night.
Night does no harm to anyone. Only the fear of night causes harm.
You will never be free if you believe in witches, and your fear will make you foolish and cruel. There is a saying: It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
Oh, I see the confusion here. That’s not a witch; that’s an upper-level corporate manager.