80-year-old man beaten to death over witchcraft allegation in Benue

An elderly man identified as Ordue Ikye, aged over 80, has reportedly died after he was allegedly attacked by a mob following accusations that he used witchcraft to cause the death of a younger relative in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident reportedly occurred around 7pm last Sunday at Tse-Ikye, Gbemacha Council Ward, Mbavior, Mbasar, after the death of Aker Aleva, a man believed to be in his 30s.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches, AfAW, disclosed the incident in a petition addressed to the Benue State Commissioner of Police, calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the elderly man’s death.

The petition, signed by AfAW Director, Dr Leo Igwe, stated that Aleva had reportedly gone out to watch a football match but complained of a headache while returning home. He subsequently collapsed and was taken to a hospital in Ikpayongo, where he later died.

Following Aleva’s death, members of the community allegedly accused Ikye, who was said to be related to the deceased, of causing his death through witchcraft.

According to the petition, a confidential source identified as the deceased’s son said he returned home on Sunday evening after hearing people shouting and discovered a group of people confronting his father.

The group allegedly lit fires on both sides of Ikye and questioned him about Aleva’s death. The elderly man reportedly denied having any knowledge of what happened to Aleva and rejected the allegation that he was responsible for his death.

AfAW alleged that while some individuals at the scene disagreed about the appropriate action to take against Ikye, others reportedly picked up pieces of wood and attacked him.

The organisation said the elderly man allegedly sustained fatal injuries during the beating and subsequently died.

AfAW further stated that its confidential source identified five people who were allegedly involved in the attack, including the community’s youth president.

However, the organisation stressed that the allegations and identities contained in its petition were based on information provided by the confidential witness and should be subjected to independent police investigation.

The group also alleged that following Ikye’s death, an ambulance was summoned and his remains were transported to Ikpayongo, where they were deposited in a mortuary.

According to AfAW, a community meeting was later held concerning the incident, but the death of Ikye was allegedly not addressed during the gathering.

The organisation claimed that the deceased’s son, who reportedly attempted to record part of the meeting, had his phone seized, while photographs and videos on the device were allegedly deleted.

AfAW called on the police to thoroughly investigate the alleged killing, secure all available evidence and ensure that the deceased’s family and witnesses are protected from intimidation.

It also urged the authorities to prosecute anyone found responsible for the death after a proper investigation.

The organisation expressed concern over what it described as the use of unexplained illness or death as grounds for accusing individuals of witchcraft and subjecting them to mob violence.

AfAW therefore appealed to the Benue State Police Command to take preventive measures against further witchcraft-related attacks in the community and ensure that anyone found culpable in Ikye’s death is brought to justice.