Police silent as Abia community residents torture widow, label her witch

Some residents of Umueghu in Amaegbuato autonomous community in the Nkpa Bende Local Government Area of Abia State have tied up and flogged a widow, Mrs Amarachi Okechi, for allegedly being a witch.

A video of the incident posted on social media shows the widow sitting on the floor with her hands tied behind her. Her legs were also bound with rope.

The widow, who wore a gown and a light blue hair tie was flogged by young men while scores of people in the crowd jeered at her.

An activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, who shared the video of the assault on his Facebook page, wrote, “When I talk about widows’ protection, I’m not asking for too much. Our mothers suffer the most from child delivery.

“Mrs. Amarachi Okechi, a widow was accused of witchcraft by her late husband brother’s wife.

“If you are from Umueghu in Amaegbuato autonomous community Nkpa Bende Local Government, Abia state, your community did this to this woman.

“Even when the woman was begging and telling them she’s innocent, they tied her hands to her back, tied her two legs, flogged and filmed her.

“Her children reached out to the Behind Bars and we have decided to take this matter up no matter what it will cost us.

“This is barbaric should be condemned by all.

“#Attention: Please help us tag the wife of Abia State Governor.”

Meanwhile, efforts by SaharaReporters to get the reaction of the Abia State Police Command were unsuccessful as the command’s spokesman, Geoffrey Ogbonna, did not answer his mobile line.