Sowore Condemns Lynching Of Woman In Cross River Over Alleged Witchcraft

Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) in the recently concluded 2023 Nigeria general elections, criticized the burning to death of a woman in Cross River State after she was accused of witchcraft.

The story was previously reported by Sahara Reporters, stating that some local adolescents had burned a woman to death on suspicion that she was responsible for a car accident that had claimed the lives of two individuals.

A group of young people from Old Netim in the Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state ruthlessly murdered the said woman by name of Madam Martina Okey Itagbor.

On Thursday, Sowore reacted to the murder on Twitter, calling for the arrest and prosecution of the young people responsible for the heinous deed.

The advocate for human rights stated that the police's inaction while the poor woman burned to death was unacceptable.

He stated "I condemn the lynching of this innocent woman in Cross River State and urge security agencies to immediately fish out the "youths" who carried out these heinous crime(s) and make them pay for their crimes."

"Whether it is lynching for blasphemy or witch hunting there should be no place in our society for these types of savagery and cruelty.

"Madam Martina Okey Itagbor was accused of witchcraft and burnt to death by the youths of Old Netim in Akamkpa LGA, Cross River State.”

"This was after a fatal motor accident claimed the lives of two young men. Sadly, the Police stood by while the helpless poor woman burnt. The suspects are still walking free," he added.

A lawyer named James Ibor has been using the hashtag #Justice4MartinaItagbor to demand justice for the victim's family.

Ibor said on his Facebook on Wednesday, "Madam Martina Okey Itagbor was accused of witchcraft and burnt to death by the Youths of Old Netim in Akamkpa LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria."

“Witchcraft branding is a crime. The belief in witches and their power to cause harm is backward and primitive. I call on the Police to bring these suspects to Justice. No witches, No Wizards.”

“The video is too gory, heartless and horrible. If I post it here, Facebook will block me,” he added in another post on Thursday.

Accusations of witchcraft have led to the death of others in the state before.

Two women, both widows, were lynched at Ebbaken, a village in Boki Local Government Area, on August 27, 2022, on suspicion of witchcraft.

Mrs Martina Osom and Mrs Rose Akon, both in their 50s, were reportedly tortured to death by a group of young men on Saturday, August 27, 2022. The women who passed away were confirmed to be Catholic.