10-year old Akwa Ibom boy survive being thrown into Imo River for being a wizard

Humanitarian workers in Akwa Ibom State have taken over the welfare of a 10-year old boy from the Esit Eket area of the state that was thrown into Imo River to die amid accusations that he was possessed by witchcraft.

In a particularly macabre incident, Usen Okon, who was thrown into the river to die in the Ikot Abasi area of Akwa Ibom State by his paternal aunt, identified simply as Ekaeyen. Usen's aunt woke him up from his sleep and took him to her husband and asked him to confess to being a wizard.

However, Usen, both of whose parents are dead, somehow miraculously managed to survive the ordeal. Non-government organization, the Humanist Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement (Hapsta) and its partner body, Child’s Rights and Rehabilitation Network (Crarn), have taken the boy into their care. 

Hapsta's senior project manager Ayobami Ojedokun, said that on November 16, Ekaeyen took Usen to the Imo River and threw him into the water with the hope that he would drown. However, he managed to climb out of the water and return home but on getting there, his aunty had left.

Mr. Ojedokun said: "She actually threw Okon into Imo River thinking that the boy would drown. The boy came out of the water alive and went to their home, only to be told that his auntie had relocated.”

Adeyemi Johnson, Hapsta's project director, added that Hapsta/Crarn reunited 16 children with their families between January to November and referred two children to Ministry of Women Affairs. He added that the two charities have also rescued 17 children between January and now, while the organization had 15 children in its centre.

 Mr. Johnson said: “We also organized advocacy town hall meetings in Okobo, Ebughu and Etinan, where child witches stigmatization are common place. We brought pastors and child rights activists together through a meeting at Ikot Abasi.”

Akwa Ibom State is notorious for its stigmatization of young children as witches and wizards and over the years, thousands of innocent kids have been killed after being accused of being possessed by demons. In response to the practice, the state has produced hundreds of so-called witch-finders who see as their duty to identify possessed children.

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