A surgical consultant at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and the Benue State Chairperson of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Amina Onyewuchi, advised Nigerians to put medical care above attributing ailments to witchcraft. She emphasised the necessity of getting expert medical treatment for all health difficulties, including Mental Health conditions, and brought attention to the pervasive belief among Nigerians that illnesses are caused by supernatural forces. During an advocacy lecture at Benue State University, which was organised by the “Advocacy for Alleged Witches” in collaboration with the university’s Faculty of Social Sciences, Onyewuchi made this claim.
Dispelling myths about witchcraft and its impact on public perceptions was the main goal of the event. Some religious leaders have been accused by Professor Benjamin Ahule, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, of encouraging superstition in order to take advantage of their followers. The director of the “Advocacy for Alleged Witches,” Dr. Leo Igwe, disclosed that his group has stepped in on more than 150 cases of suspected witchcraft in Nigeria, including ones that resulted in fatalities, violations of human rights, and ongoing legal actions. Igwe emphasised that in order to dispel harmful ideas and behaviours, empower victims, and offer both material and psychological support, Education and awareness are essential.
Victims of accusations are frequently killed, moved, or shunned.
In Nigeria, charges of witchcraft are still common and disproportionately impact vulnerable groups, such as women, children, and the elderly. Numerous children in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states have been accused of witchcraft, according to data, and many of them have suffered from malnutrition, physical assault, and even death as a result. In only two southern Nigerian states, for example, a study conducted by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) indicates that over 15,000 children were accused of witchcraft over a ten-year period.
There are serious societal repercussions attached to being accused of witchcraft. Victims of accusations are frequently killed, moved, or shunned. Health consequences are severe since victims may choose spiritual treatments over medical care. Due to stigmatisation, families that are accused of witchcraft experience poverty, homelessness, and job loss. Furthermore, the problem is made worse by the shortcomings of the legal system, such as low prosecution rates and police collusion. Under the direction of Dr. Leo Igwe, the “Advocacy for Alleged Witches” (AfAW) has stepped in to address more than 150 allegations of witchcraft in Nigeria.
“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” is commonly invoked.
These initiatives include Legal Representation, where AfAW helps victims bring abusers to justice, as demonstrated in cases in the states of Benue, Anambra, and Adamawa; Community Education through Campaigns that seek to dispel myths and advance scientific thinking; and Support Networks, which assist victims in obtaining shelter and psychosocial support. In Nigeria, traditional faiths and judicial systems from the colonial era have strong roots in witchcraft beliefs. In the past, witchcraft was frequently blamed for bad luck like disease, bad harvests, or family conflicts. These ideas are further reinforced by religious scriptures that certain cultures take seriously.
To support allegations, for instance, the biblical saying “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” is commonly invoked. Witchcraft allegations may be used as a coping strategy or as a tool to regulate behaviour in communities in areas experiencing economic difficulty, according to anthropological research. Many witchcraft-believing Nigerians feel that witchcraft is a genuine force that may do damage. Religious leaders who claim to be able to “identify” witches through spiritual visions frequently serve to perpetuate these notions. Due to the persistence of traditional beliefs, these viewpoints are especially common in rural communities. According to critics, these assertions are frequently predatory, made to coerce attendees or demand money.
The belief in witchcraft is a reflection of broader cultural concerns.
According to sociologists and anthropologists, charges of witchcraft frequently result from social and economic conflicts. Anthropologist Dr. Diana Abasi Akanimoh notes that the belief in witchcraft is a reflection of broader cultural concerns about modernity, change, and the shortage of resources. Dr. Amina Onyewuchi and other medical experts emphasise the significance of dispelling these myths in order to enhance health outcomes because untreated illnesses frequently worsen as a result of postponing seeking medical attention. Legal experts stress that anti-witchcraft branding statutes, which are currently underutilised, require more enforcement.