The Enugu State Police Command has launched an investigation into a viral video showing the alleged assault and degrading treatment of a 60-year-old woman accused of witchcraft in Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state.
The victim, identified as Chinenye Okonkwo from Amafu Village, Ugbawka, was allegedly abused after being accused of witchcraft and blamed for the death of her husband’s brother’s wife.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 12, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
According to the police, preliminary findings indicate that the woman was subjected to severe abuse, including being forced to eat human faeces. Officers from the Nkanu East Police Division have reportedly visited her and obtained her statement.
The police said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible for the alleged assault, adding that the suspects were currently at large.
Condemning the incident, the Commissioner of Police warned residents against jungle justice and other forms of taking the law into their own hands. He assured the public that anyone found culpable, including accomplices, would face the full weight of the law.
The incident has also drawn condemnation from the Advocacy for Alleged Witches, which called on authorities to ensure the victim receives medical attention and support while those responsible are brought to justice.
