2 men burnt to death in Cross River over alleged witchcraft

Two elderly men identified as Chief Bassey Effiong Ngwe and Asuquo Effiong Etim, have been burnt to death by their kinsmen in Cross River State, over an allegation of witchcraft.

Also Read: 'Barbaric: Mob burns woman for 'witchcraft'"

According to a Facebook user, Leo Igwe, the incident happened in Akwa Ikot Effanga in Akabuyo Local Government Area of the state, when the villagers descended on the victims after a native doctor invited to fish out witches in the village, pointed out the two men.

On hearing the verdict by the native doctor, the youths of the village made for the homes of the men and lynched them, after which they took them to the village square and burnt them to death.

This is what Igwe wrote on his wall:

"The alleged witches were killed by a lynch mob on Sunday July 3, 2016, after a 'native doctor' declared that they were responsible for several deaths of young people in the village.

The native doctor is currently in police custody but according to my local contact person, none of those who killed the alleged witches had been arrested.

There are concerns that the matter may eventually die if pressure is not brought on the Nigerian state and police authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice!

In addition, the lynch mob had attacked and looted the house of CHIEF BASSEY EFFIOM NGWE after the son reported the case to the police. The son has fled the community and is currently in hiding."

Also Read: "Wickedness: Woman buried alive over witchcraft allegation"

"We need you to take urgent action NOW!

I am using this medium to ask you to contact ACP Bunmi Osoko (TEL NO. +234-8033004406), Officer in-charge, State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Cross River State Police Headquarters (Nigeria), and urge him to investigate and bring to justice those who lynched TWO ALLEGED WITCHES, CHIEF BASSEY EFFIOM NGWE and MR ASUQUO EFFIONG ETIM, from Akwa Ikot Effanga in Akpabuyo LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria.

You can also contact the Nigerian President,Muhammadu Buhari, the Governor of Cross River,Benedict Ayade, Inspector General of Police in Abuja to take action on the matter!

Witch hunting must stop. Witch hunters must be brought to justice!"