The 'Witch-Children' of Akwa Ibom

NOT enough outrage has greeted the broadcast of the documentary, "Saving Africa's Witch Children" by the UK Channel 4 on November 12, the material is available on the internet, the horror and the scandal contained therein are being circulated world-wide. Weeks later, there has been no report of any meaningful response to the horrific details of that documentary by the Akwa Ibom State Government, the Federal Government and the security agencies, other than that the Child Rights Bill has now been passed into law in Akwa Ibom State.

Very few electronic materials in the last decade, have done as much damage to Nigeria's image as this documentary. It is a factual portrayal of the failure of the Nigerian state, the entrapment of the people in a shell of superstition and hysteria, the absolutely low value of human life in Nigeria, the abuse of Nigeria's children and the opportunism of religious charlatans who lie, kill and cheat in God's name. Covering the plight of children who are dubbed "witches" in Akwa Ibom, the documentary tells a familiar Nigerian story.

It begins on an appropriately instructive note: "Say Amen, Amen, Say Amen, Amen." A Christian worship is in session. The substance of the documentary is how so-called religious leaders - Pastors, priests and self-styled Bishops engage in exorcism as they spread a scary gospel about the existence of evil and witchcraft in the Akwa Ibom community. This has led to mass delusion and hysteria in parts of the state with children, mostly being accused of witchcraft.

The children are exposed to all forms of dehumanization. One had a nail driven into her skull. Another was given poison to drink. Many were set on fire. Innocent-looking young children including babies under the age of seven are stigmatized and driven away by their parents and relations. Other parents take their children to churches where a Pastor declares the child a witch or wizard, who is in need of deliverance.

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