“My mother locked me up in the toilet” – 5-year-old boy accused of witchcraft in Akwa Ibom state narrates his ordeal
A 5-year-old boy rescued in Akwa Ibom is in the news and has narrated how he was allegedly tortured and abandoned by his parents and stepmother after being accused of witchcraft.
The boy identified as Victor Asuquo was found roaming the streets of Odoro Nkot in Esit Eket with scars all over his battered body and protruding testicles due to an enlarged hernia.
Victor was rescued by a community leader and Child’s Right And Rehabilitation Network (CRARN) volunteer, Prince John Ekpo, who first took him to their house and met only his old blind grandmother who was stigmatized as a witch as well and crying for help.
Speaking to a CRARN admin personnel, Victor narrated how his stepmother allegedly used machetes and hit him several times and locked him up in the toilet.
He claimed that his stepmother took him to prayer houses for exorcism then abandoned him on the road at midnight.
The boy also alleged he returned home but his stepmother warned him not to come into the house otherwise she will kill him.
“My father doesn’t want to see me. He warned me not to infect my stepbrothers with witchcraft even when I told him I was not a wizard,” he said.
CRARN said Victor was taken to the hospital for treatment and surgery after his rescue on Monday, April 19.
