80-year-old man beaten to death over witchcraft allegation in Benue
Elderly Man Allegedly Killed by Mob in Benue State After Witchcraft Accusation
An elderly man, identified as Ordue Ikye, reportedly died following an attack by a mob in the Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State. The incident occurred after Ikye, who is over 80 years old, was accused of using witchcraft to cause the death of a younger relative.
The altercation took place around 7 p.m. on Sunday at Tse-Ikye, Gbemacha Council Ward, Mbavior, Mbasar, shortly after the death of Aker Aleva, a man believed to be in his 30s. According to reports, Aleva had attended a football match and began to experience headaches while returning home. He collapsed and was later pronounced dead at a hospital in Ikpayongo.
The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ikye’s death. The organization submitted a petition to the Benue State Commissioner of Police, detailing the events that led to the attack on Ikye.
Dr. Leo Igwe, director of AfAW, stated that after Aleva’s death, community members accused Ikye of causing it through witchcraft, as he was believed to be related to the deceased. A confidential source, identified as Aleva’s son, reported returning home on Sunday evening to find a crowd confronting his father.
Witnesses claimed that the mob surrounded Ikye, questioning him about Aleva’s death. Despite Ikye’s denial of any involvement, tensions escalated, resulting in some individuals attacking him with wooden objects. AfAW reported that Ikye sustained severe injuries and subsequently died.
The organization claimed that a confidential witness has named five individuals involved in the attack, including the youth president of the community. It emphasized that these allegations should be thoroughly investigated by law enforcement.
Following the incident, an ambulance was called to transport Ikye’s remains to a mortuary in Ikpayongo. AfAW noted that a community meeting was held to discuss the event, but the topic of Ikye’s death was reportedly not addressed. During the meeting, Aleva’s son attempted to document the proceedings but had his phone seized, with accompanying photographs and videos deleted.
AfAW is urging police to conduct a comprehensive investigation, secure evidence, and protect the deceased’s family from potential intimidation. The organization emphasized the need for authorities to prosecute individuals found responsible for Ikye’s death and expressed concern over the use of unexplained illnesses or deaths as a basis for witchcraft accusations leading to mob violence.
Furthermore, AfAW is calling on the Benue State Police Command to take preventive measures against any future witchcraft-related attacks in the community and to ensure justice for Ikye.
