By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Latest report by the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) has revealed that over 15,000 Nigerian children have suffered abuse, including torture, abandonment, and violent “exorcism” rituals, after being branded as witches, with most cases concentrated in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
The revelation follows a fact-finding mission to Nigeria authorized under Communication 17 of 2021, received by the Committee in December 2021. The mission, which included engagements with stakeholders in Abuja and Akwa Ibom, focused on allegations from multiple states including Abia, Bauchi, Delta, Edo, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Taraba.
The Committee paid courtesy visits to the Ministries of Women Affairs, Justice, and Foreign Affairs, and held high-level discussions with officials from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, civil society groups, the Children’s Parliament, and international organizations.
While the Committee commended Nigeria for legislative strides, such as the Child Rights Act, and policies aimed at ending child marriage and violence against children, it expressed serious concern that witchcraft accusations remain widespread and dangerous, especially in rural communities where local leaders often act outside the law.
“Children as young as two are being accused of witchcraft,” the Committee observed, noting that such accusations result in psychological trauma, social exclusion, and in extreme cases, attempted murder.
In Akwa Ibom, where a 2010 government commission responded to a surge in witchcraft-related abuses by establishing shelters like the Divine Children’s Home, the state reported no recent child witchcraft accusations, with only adults being convicted in June 2025. However, the Committee was informed during its visits to children’s homes that new cases involving accused children had recently emerged, contradicting official reports and suggesting the crisis is far from over.
The Committee highlighted the vulnerability of children with disabilities, who are often linked to superstition and suffer discrimination, abandonment, and abuse. Despite awareness campaigns in churches, schools, and villages, harmful beliefs persist.
One of the major gaps identified was the Committee’s inability to meet directly with child victims—a limitation it said could hinder the credibility of the investigation. “Hearing directly from affected children is crucial to understanding the full scope and gravity of this crisis,” the Committee stated.
The AU body has now requested the Federal Government to urgently engage all affected states and submit detailed reports on ongoing violations and government responses by September 2025, in preparation for its 46th Ordinary Session.
The Committee stressed that the current report represents only preliminary observations, not final conclusions, and that investigations will continue virtually and through further stakeholder engagements.
“Witchcraft branding is criminal,” the Committee warned. “It leads to irreparable harm, and every Nigerian child deserves protection under the law. The government must ensure enforcement, accountability, and community-level change.”
The Committee concluded by expressing gratitude to Nigerian authorities for their cooperation, reaffirming its commitment to working with the government to fulfill the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and Agenda 2040, which envision “An Africa fit for children.”
