85-YEAR-OLD WOMAN ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED, TORTURED OVER WITCHCRAFT CLAIM IN ZAMFARA

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By: Balogun Ibrahim

An 85-year-old woman in Zamfara State has reportedly suffered severe physical abuse after being accused of witchcraft by the mother of a newborn she had visited.

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches disclosed the incident in a statement issued on Friday by its Director, Leo Igwe.

Igwe said the National Human Rights Commission office in Zamfara shared an audio recording of the alleged assault with the organisation on August 18, 2026.

According to him, the elderly woman had visited a woman who had recently given birth to exchange pleasantries when the new mother allegedly accused her of being a witch.

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Igwe said the woman denied the allegation, but the accusation reportedly attracted a mob that attacked her.

He alleged that the mob pelted the woman with stones and beat her with pestles and sticks, leaving her with injuries to her head and hand.

The attackers allegedly dragged her on the ground, pushed her into a toilet and struck her with the toilet seat while threatening to kill her if the baby died.

Igwe further alleged that the woman was stripped naked, repeatedly slapped and ordered to step over the newborn several times as proof that she was not a witch.

He said the elderly woman complied with the demand but was allegedly forced to repeat the act, including stepping over the baby’s mother.

According to him, the attackers also discussed bringing a traditional priest to determine whether the woman was a witch and considered taking her to the police.

The victim was eventually taken to a hospital for treatment and later discharged, but Igwe alleged that the accusations and harassment continued after she returned home.

He said the woman identified some of those allegedly involved in the assault as family members she had known for years.

“The victim is now asking for justice,” Igwe said, adding that a photograph made available to the organisation showed the elderly woman with a bruised face and injuries across her body.

He said AfAW contacted the NHRC office several times to obtain further details and explore ways of providing legal and humanitarian assistance to the victim.

However, Igwe said the organisation was informed that some members of the woman’s family had prevented efforts to assist her because they did not want the incident made public.

He described the case as part of a wider pattern of violence against people, particularly women, accused of witchcraft.

Igwe called on the Zamfara State Government to intervene, ensure the victim receives justice and provide the necessary support for her recovery.

He also urged security agencies to investigate the alleged assault and prosecute anyone found culpable.

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Police Command said the matter had not been formally reported to the police.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Yazid, told journalists via text message that the incident was not reported but assured that the police would investigate the matter and take appropriate action.

“This incident was not reported to the police but with this we are going to find out and do the necessary,” he said.