Cross River: Youths set woman ablaze over witchcraft allegation

A mother of four who was accused of witchcraft has been burnt to death by some youths in Cross River State.

The deceased woman, identified as Madam Martina Okey Itagbor, was accused of causing the death of two young men who died in a motor accident.

She was allegedly murdered by youths of Old Netim in the Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.

A lawyer, James Ibor, who exposed the barbaric incident on his Facebook page, has been calling for justice for the deceased using #Justice4MartinaItagbor.

A gory video of the incident shows the half-n3ked woman being burnt to death in the middle of a paved road by some youths who had gathered around.

On his Facebook page Ibor wrote, “Madam Martina Okey Itagbor was accused of witchcraft and burnt to death by the Youths of Old Netim in Akamkpa LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria.

“This was after a fatal motor accident claimed the lives of two young men. Sadly, the Police stood by while the helpless poor woman burn. The suspects are walking free.

“Witchcraft branding is a crime. The belief in witches and their power to cause harm is backward and primitive. I call on the Police to bring these suspects to Justice. No witches, No Wizards.”

“The video is too gory, heartless and horrible. If I post it here, Facebook will block me,” he added in another post on Thursday.

This is not the first time someone would be killed in the state over allegations of witchcraft.

On August 27, 2022, two widows who were also accused of being witches were lynched in Ebbaken community in the Boki Local Government Area of the state.

The victims were identified as Mrs Martina Osom and Mrs Rose Akon. were on Saturday, August 27, allegedly tortured to death by youths.