Leo Igwe, an activist in Nigeria, is leading the charge to assist individuals accused of witchcraft in the country. These accusations can ruin lives and even result in lynching. Dr. Igwe, who completed his doctorate in religious studies in 2017, felt compelled to act after witnessing senseless killings. Frustrated with academia’s limitations, he founded Advocacy For Alleged Witches, an organization dedicated to using compassion, reason, and science to save lives affected by superstition.
Dr. Igwe’s work extends beyond Nigeria to countries like Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. One of the people his organization helped is Jude, a 33-year-old man who was accused and beaten in Benue State. Jude’s life was turned upside down after being falsely accused of witchcraft, leading to him losing his job and facing stigma.
The prevalence of witchcraft beliefs in Nigeria and the fear associated with it lead to vulnerable individuals being targeted. Accusations of witchcraft often result in violence and even death. Dr. Igwe and his team work tirelessly to intervene in such cases, providing support and assistance to those affected.
Despite the cultural belief in witchcraft in Nigeria, Dr. Igwe and his team continue to challenge superstitions and provide aid to those unjustly accused. Through their efforts, they aim to save lives and combat the dangerous consequences of witch-hunting in the country. Jonathan Griffin / BBC
Advocacy for Alleged Witches
Efforts to pressure the church to cancel the event were unsuccessful.
The church promoting the event extensively advertised it to its 20,000 followers on social media.
Upon seeing a billboard in Imo state advertising the event, Dr. Igwe submitted multiple petitions to local authorities and wrote several articles for local media in an attempt to have it called off.
Despite these efforts, the event proceeded as planned – Advocacy For Alleged Witches deployed observers and continues to advocate against similar events.
The church in question has not responded to the BBC’s request for a comment.
While no fatalities occurred at the Imo state event, the rhetoric of “witch-must-die” from churches can incite hatred and violence, according to Dr. Igwe.
Many Nigerian churches oppose such attitudes.
Julius Osimen, a senior pastor at the Global Citizens Church in Lagos, states, “Casting out demons and not killing those possessed by demons is what we understand to be Jesus’ ministry.”
Mr. Osimen denounces any preaching that promotes witch-hunting as a misinterpretation of Bible verses.
“When Jesus arrived, he brought a better understanding. You do not kill those possessed or oppressed by demons; you simply cast out the demons,” he explains.
Dr. Igwe’s advocacy work has come at a personal cost, having been physically assaulted three times for intervening on behalf of those accused of witchcraft. He acknowledges his family’s concerns for his safety but remains steadfast in his commitment to intervene: “I have realized that I must step up and provide leadership.”
In Nigeria, it is illegal to accuse or threaten to accuse someone of being a witch or having witchcraft abilities, carrying a maximum two-year prison sentence. However, prosecutions and convictions are rare.
In 2021, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution condemning human rights abuses related to witchcraft, yet allegations persist in many parts of Africa, as well as in places like India and Papua New Guinea.
“Ending witch-hunting is a challenge, and we should not romanticize it by claiming it is part of our culture,” Dr. Igwe asserts. “It is not our culture to kill our elders. It is not our culture to harm innocent people.”
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