Zamfara: Elderly Witchcraft Assault Victim Endures Mob Brutality

• An 85-year-old woman in Zamfara State was severely beaten, stripped, and physically abused by a mob after being accused of witchcraft.
• The attack, which included being pelted with stones and forced rituals, occurred after the victim visited a new mother who then made the accusation.
• The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) reported the incident, noting that the victim identified some attackers as family members.
• Efforts by AfAW to provide legal and humanitarian assistance have been blocked by the victim's family, who reportedly wish to keep the matter private.
• AfAW's Director, Leo Igwe, called on the Zamfara State Government and law enforcement to ensure justice, prosecute perpetrators, and address the broader pattern of impunity in witchcraft persecution.

Witchcraft accusations should never serve as a justification for violence or as a shield for perpetrators from legal consequences.

An 85-year-old woman in Zamfara State endured a brutal assault, including being stripped naked and subjected to severe physical abuse, after a woman accused her of witchcraft. The incident, which reportedly occurred after the elderly woman visited the new mother to offer congratulations, saw the accusation quickly escalate into a mob attack. Despite the victim's denial of the witchcraft claim, a crowd gathered and inflicted serious harm.

The mob's actions were extensive and violent. They reportedly pelted the elderly woman with stones, beat her with pestles and sticks, causing blood to gush from her head and hand. She was dragged across the ground, pushed into a toilet, and struck with a toilet seat. The attackers also threatened her life, stating she would be killed if the newborn baby died. Further humiliation involved stripping her naked, repeatedly slapping her, and forcing her to step over the infant multiple times to 'prove' her innocence, an act she complied with. The mob then compelled her to perform the same ritual with the baby's mother.

Following the ordeal, the woman was transported to a hospital for medical attention and subsequently discharged. However, the accusations and abuse did not cease after her release. The victim later identified several of her attackers as family members, individuals she had known for many years, highlighting the deeply personal nature of the persecution she faced.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) brought this disturbing incident to light, with its Director, Leo Igwe, issuing a statement on Friday detailing the events. AfAW received an audio recording of the incident from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) office in Zamfara on August 18, 2026, which provided crucial insight into the assault. The organization has since made repeated attempts to contact the NHRC office to gather further information and extend legal and humanitarian assistance to the victim.

However, these efforts to support the elderly woman have been met with significant resistance. AfAW was informed that members of the victim's own family have actively obstructed attempts to provide aid, reportedly due to their desire to prevent the matter from becoming public knowledge. This familial interference complicates the pursuit of justice and support for the victim, leaving her in a vulnerable position as she seeks redress for the severe trauma inflicted upon her.

Leo Igwe of AfAW emphasized that this Zamfara elderly witchcraft assault is not an isolated event but rather indicative of a pervasive pattern of injustice. He noted that victims of alleged witchcraft persecution, particularly women, frequently endure violence at the hands of relatives or community members and are subsequently left without any form of justice. Igwe highlighted that family members are often complicit, acting as both accusers and tormentors, and then actively hindering efforts to secure justice or seek redress for the victims. This systemic issue allows perpetrators to evade accountability, perpetuating a cycle of abuse and trauma.

Igwe issued a strong call for intervention, urging the Zamfara State Government to take decisive action to ensure the elderly woman receives justice and the necessary support for her recovery. He also implored law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and to prosecute all individuals found responsible for the alleged assault. The AfAW director underscored that witchcraft accusations should never serve as a justification for violence or as a shield for perpetrators from legal consequences. He stressed that such severe violations must not be excused or ignored, advocating for public awareness and action to ensure that alleged witches no longer suffer in silence, emphasizing that persecution persists due to impunity.

Source: Original reporting via Chima Azubuike