12-year-old girl rescued from torture over ‘witchcraft’ allegations in Akwa Ibom

A 12-year-old girl, Bright Sunday, has been rescued by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Akwa Ibom State after being locked up and tortured by her parents on accusations of being a child-witch.

The State Commandant of the NSCDC, Eluyemi Eluwade, disclosed the rescue during a press conference in Uyo on Saturday.

According to Eluwade, the victim was confined to a dilapidated building by her father, Ndifreke Sunday, and stepmother, Victory Sunday, in Ikot Ukporo Idoro Village, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.

The NSCDC acted on a complaint from the State Ministry of Justice, which reported the inhumane treatment the young girl was enduring.

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“The arrest of the suspects was made on Tuesday, September 10, following the complaint about the child’s abuse,” Eluwade said, adding that the suspects were charged with child deprivation and abuse under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law of 2020.

The parents reportedly admitted to locking up Bright because she allegedly confessed to being a witch, which they claimed was the cause of her father’s afflictions.

The victim, speaking to journalists, described her ordeal, revealing that she was denied regular food and bathing, subjected to beatings, and kept in isolation. She was fed only once every two days, bathed twice a month, and prevented from attending school.

The case has sparked widespread concern, highlighting the ongoing issue of child abuse linked to harmful cultural beliefs in parts of Nigeria.