An advocate has messaged the Advocacy for Alleged Witches, drawing attention to the activities of suspected ritualists in Asaba, the capital of Delta State. In the message, the advocate stated: “God saved me from another mourning this beautiful year. This morning, my late friend’s teenage daughter was dropped off at a salon near Midwifery Road by her aunt, who rushed to clean her church, House of the Rock. This happened before 7 am, the area was quiet, and shops were closed”.
After the drop-off, some people came in a car to the point where she was standing. The message continued: “As the aunt drove away, she, the girl, noticed a cream-colored Camry with a license plate starting with AYB. The Camry approached her, and a young man came out and ordered her inside. They took her phone, and power bank, the attachment that she wanted to use to make her hair. They also collected her ATM card and demanded her PIN (which she wisely gave the wrong one). They also questioned her about her virginity and abortion history. She told them she wasn’t a virgin and had done an abortion many times. Following her response, they drove to a point and pushed her out of the car, which was somewhere linking NTA Road”.
The lady approached some passersby, asking for assistance. Some ignored her, thinking she was mentally challenged. But she later met some people who were moved by her story and assisted her with some transportation fare. She returned home safely.
According to the advocate, the inquiry about her virginity made her suspect that these persons were ritualists. And they wanted to use her or her body parts for ritual sacrifice. She suspected that these ritualists wanted to collect her hymen for sacrifice, hence they asked her if she were a virgin. Some people believe that hymen from virgins have some magical potency and could yield money or wealth. There is no evidence for this belief. In the past, there have been cases where some ritualists stole female pants and sanitary pads.
On her Facebook page, the advocate warned the public: “Tell your daughters that they shouldn’t reveal their virginity to anyone if they are still intact. They are the targets of these bad guys.” By bad boys, she meant ritualists. At the end of her message, she said: “I pray for every girl’s safety; may none fall victim to ritualists. I pray for Asaba also. May evil be flushed out. And for these ritualists, hand go touch una this week”. Through this advocate, we got through to the victim, Ms A, a 17-year-old law student at a local university. She confirmed the incident. She said they collected her phone, ATM card, and hair attachment. The estimated total cost is N410,000 naira.
We advised Ms A to be more careful and vigilant. We urged her to stay strong and not to entertain fears or worries that some people would use her for some ritual sacrifice, especially, in this case, that they took her hair attachment. We made it clear to her that there is no potency in the ritual sacrifice of anything, human or animal. That even if someone did such a sacrifice, it would have no impact on her. The Advocacy for Alleged Witches will explore ways of further support for Ms. A. AfAW acknowledges that there are criminals who kidnap, murder, and attack persons for ritual purposes. Some individuals harvest human body parts, including private parts and breasts. Many people indulge in the sacrifice of humans or their human body parts, believing that such rituals would yield money, power, success, or prosperity.
However, the Advocacy for Alleged Witches declares that ritual money beliefs are forms of superstition. Ritual money claims are based on fear and ignorance. AfAW has reported this incident to the police and urges the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious movement in their neighborhoods.
Let’s say no to ritual attacks and abuses. Let’s say no to superstitious belief in ritual money and sacrifice. Let’s leave superstitions and embrace science and critical thinking.
Leo Igwe direct the Advocacy for Alleged Witches which campaigns against abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs and ritual attacks