10-year-old boy thrown into river for witchcraft

A 10-year-old boy was thrown into the Imo River in the Ikot Abasi area of Akwa Ibom State by those who accused him of being a witch.

Usen Okon.. Photo PUNCH

Punch newspaper quotes Senior Project Manager of the Humanist Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement as saying on Tuesday that the boy, Usen Okon, an orphan, was in care of his paternal aunt, identified simply as Ekaeyen, at Etebi community in the Esit Eket Local Government Area of the state.

Ojedokun, according to the newspaper, said that a few days ago, “Okon was aroused from sleep by Ekaeyen who took him to her husband and asked him to confess to being a wizard”.

He said a few days ago, Okon was aroused from sleep by Ekaeyen who took him to her husband and asked him to confess to being a wizard.

He added that when Okon denied the witchcraft accusation, his aunt threatened to throw him into a river.

Ojedokun said Ekaeyen, true to her words, on November 16, took Okon to the Imo River and threw him into the water with the hope that he would drown.

“She actually threw Okon into Imo River thinking that the boy would drown. The boy came out of the water alive and went to their home, only to be told that her auntie had relocated,” Ojedokun said.

The acting Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Mr. Iboro Victor, said he was not aware of the incident.

“The incident is not to my knowledge right now,” he said.

The boy is being taken care of by the Humanist Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement and its partner, Child’s Rights and Rehabilitation Network.

Credit: Punch/Etim Ekpimah