A woman identified as Mrs Atim Akposi, popularly known as Atim Eyo, has died after her son allegedly poured fuel on her and set her ablaze over accusations that she was responsible for the death of his child.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, August 14, in Ojo community, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The suspect, identified as Emmanuel Akposi, has reportedly fled the community and has been declared wanted by the police.
According to family members, Atim sustained severe burns during the attack. She was initially taken to a community health centre in Ojo before being transferred to Akamkpa General Hospital and later the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), where she died in the early hours of Monday.
The attack was allegedly connected to Emmanuel’s longstanding belief that his mother was involved in witchcraft and had caused the death of his child.
Speaking to Vanguard, Emmanuel’s elder brother, Eyo Akposi, alleged that his younger brother had accused their mother of being a witch for several years.
“Before now, he had been accusing our mother for years of being a witch. He told people that some pastors told him that our mother was a witch.”
Eyo further alleged that Emmanuel had repeatedly accused their mother of causing his child’s death and had confronted her on several occasions before the fatal incident.
“He even accused her of being responsible for the death of his child. He confronted her several times and tried to kill her until the incident of last week,” he alleged.
How the attack allegedly happened
Eyo alleged that Emmanuel entered his mother’s room on the day of the incident and initially attempted to strangle her.
He claimed that when she resisted, Emmanuel allegedly struck her, poured fuel over her and set her on fire before fleeing the scene.
“On that day, he entered her room and tried to strangle her. When she resisted, he hit her, and she fell to the ground. He then poured fuel on her and set her on fire before fleeing,” he said.
Neighbours reportedly raised the alarm after witnessing the incident and assisted in taking the injured woman to hospital.
Eyo said he learnt about the attack after receiving a video of the incident.
“When they sent the video to me, because I don’t live in the same place as them, I told them to move her from the hospital in Akamkpa to UCTH, where she died,” he said.
The family later reported the incident to the Uyanga Divisional Police Station in Akamkpa.
The police have reportedly commenced an investigation and are searching for Emmanuel.
Group condemns witchcraft allegations
The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) has condemned the killing, describing it as another example of the dangers associated with witchcraft accusations.
AfAW Director, Leo Igwe, who brought attention to the incident, said the case demonstrated how accusations rooted in superstition could result in violence against innocent people.
“Mrs Akposi’s death underscores the vicious impact of witchcraft suspicion and accusation on innocent lives,” Igwe said.
The organisation called for Emmanuel’s immediate arrest and prosecution.
It also appealed to churches and religious leaders to avoid promoting teachings that could encourage witch-hunting, witchcraft accusations or violence against individuals accused of practising witchcraft.