Activist Leo Igwe is leading crucial efforts to protect individuals accused of witchcraft in Nigeria, a situation that can devastate lives and even result in lynching. “I could no longer take it. You know, just staying around and seeing people being killed randomly,” Dr. Igwe shared in an interview with the BBC.
After earning his doctorate in religious studies in 2017, Dr. Igwe felt restless. Though he had extensively researched witchcraft, he was frustrated that academia did not provide him with the platform to confront the issue directly.
The BBC uncovered evidence of Pentecostal pastors in Nigeria conducting services that target alleged witches, a common practice in a country steeped in supernatural beliefs.
To confront these challenges, Dr. Igwe founded the Advocacy For Alleged Witches, an organization dedicated to “using compassion, reason, and science to save lives affected by superstition.” His work extends beyond Nigeria to countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
One of the individuals the organization has supported is 33-year-old Jude, who faced severe repercussions after being accused of witchcraft. In August, Dr. Igwe’s group intervened when Jude was attacked in Benue State. A glazier by trade and part-time bank employee, Jude recounted his harrowing experience, stating that he was followed by a mob after he commented on a boy’s physical agility. “Young men started fighting me as well, trying to set me ablaze,” Jude said, horrified at being falsely accused of causing the boy’s genital disappearance through witchcraft.
Such claims are not rare in certain West African regions and are often associated with Koro syndrome, a psychiatric condition marked by an intense fear of losing one’s genitalia. Dr. Igwe noted that the stigma surrounding Jude’s accusation led to him losing his job at the bank, and a video of the violent incident circulated on social media, prompting Dr. Igwe and his team to step in.
“We reached out to him [Jude]. We sent him some money to take care of his wounds. We socially rehabilitate him,” Dr. Igwe explained. The organization also reached out to Jude’s former employer in an attempt to prevent his dismissal, although they never received a response. They have committed to covering Jude’s university fees to help him rebuild his life.
In Nigeria, fear of witches runs deep, with many linking financial difficulties or health problems to witchcraft. Often, those accused of being witches are vulnerable individuals, either very young, very old, or facing mental or physical disabilities.
According to Nigeria Watch, which tracks violence through media sources, there have been eight deaths linked to witchcraft accusations in 2024 alone. While the BBC has not independently verified these figures, the outlet has reported on numerous attacks and murders resulting from such allegations in Nigeria and beyond.
Dr. Olaleye Kayode, a senior lecturer at the University of Ibadan, explained that belief in witchcraft is woven into Nigeria’s cultural fabric. He argued that ignorance fuels witch-hunting, with foreign religions like Christianity and Islam often reinforcing these harmful beliefs. Dr. Igwe criticized some influential Pentecostal pastors who frame any alleged witch as a threat to society, deserving of death.
For example, a church event in August was marketed with the theme, “That Witch Must Die,” amplifying the violent rhetoric surrounding the issue. When Dr. Igwe learned about this, he attempted to rally support to cancel the event, submitting petitions to local authorities and writing articles to raise awareness. Ultimately, the event took place, but Advocacy For Alleged Witches sent observers to monitor it and continues to advocate against similar gatherings.
No one was harmed at the event, but Dr. Igwe emphasized that rhetoric calling for violence can incite hatred. He pointed out that many Nigerian churches oppose such attitudes, highlighting that biblical teachings advocate for healing rather than harm. “Casting out demons and not killing those that are possessed was what we know Jesus’ ministry for,” said Julius Osimen, a senior pastor in Lagos.
Dr. Igwe’s activism has come at a personal cost, as he has faced physical violence for his efforts and acknowledges his family’s concerns for his safety. Yet, he remains committed to his mission: “My realization is that I have to step forward and try to provide leadership.”
In Nigeria, it is illegal to accuse someone of witchcraft, carrying a potential two-year prison sentence. However, prosecutions are infrequent. Despite a UN Human Rights Council resolution condemning human rights violations linked to witchcraft in 2021, such accusations persist across Africa and in other regions like India and Papua New Guinea.
“Trying to end witch-hunting is a challenge and we should not romanticize it in any way by saying: ‘Oh, it’s part of our culture,'” Dr. Igwe cautioned. “It’s not part of our culture to kill our parents. It’s not part of our culture to kill innocent people.”
