LAGOS, Nigeria — In a country where accusations of witchcraft can destroy lives and even lead to death, activist Leo Igwe has dedicated himself to defending those accused of practising the supernatural.
Through his organisation, Advocacy For Alleged Witches, AFAW, Dr Igwe is confronting deeply entrenched beliefs and the violence they can provoke.
“I could no longer take it. You know, just staying around and seeing people being killed randomly,” Dr Igwe told the BBC in August 2024.
After earning his doctorate in religious studies in 2017, he grew frustrated with academia’s limitations in addressing the real-world consequences of witchcraft beliefs.
He launched AFAW to “use compassion, reason, and science to save lives of those affected by superstition.”
Combating Stigma and Violence
One of AFAW’s notable interventions involved Jude, a 33-year-old glazier and part-time bank worker accused of witchcraft in Benue State.
In August, Jude was attacked by a mob who accused him of causing the disappearance of a boy’s genitals.
“Young men started fighting me as well, trying to set me ablaze,” Jude recounted.
The accusation, linked to a condition known as Koro syndrome — a psychiatric disorder characterised by the irrational fear of genital retraction — led to Jude losing his job at the bank due to stigma.
AFAW discovered the case through a viral video showing him beaten and stripped. The organisation provided financial support for his medical treatment and tuition fees to help him rebuild his life.
“We socially rehabilitate him,” Dr Igwe said. “We sent him some money to take care of his wounds.”
Tackling Witchcraft Accusations Across Borders
AFAW operates beyond Nigeria, with prevention efforts extending to Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
Its work addresses accusations often targeting society’s most vulnerable: the elderly, children, and those with disabilities.
“Belief in witchcraft or [the] supernatural in Nigeria is cultural,” explained Dr Olaleye Kayode, a senior lecturer at the University of Ibadan.
He attributed witch-hunting to ignorance and the influence of “foreign religions” such as Christianity and Islam, alongside traditional African beliefs.
Pentecostal pastors in Nigeria have been accused of promoting witchcraft fears through “deliverance services.”
In one instance, AFAW unsuccessfully petitioned to cancel an event advertised with the theme “That Witch Must Die.”
“Any alleged witch is dangerous to the society, deserves no mercy and should be killed,” Dr Igwe said, describing the rhetoric some church leaders perpetuate.

Legal and Cultural Challenges
Despite laws criminalising witchcraft accusations, enforcement remains rare. Under Nigerian law, accusing someone of being a witch carries a maximum two-year prison sentence, yet prosecutions are infrequent.
The UN Human Rights Council condemned human rights violations linked to witchcraft accusations in 2021, but the practice persists across Africa and beyond.
Dr Igwe acknowledges the personal toll of his activism. He has been assaulted multiple times and faces safety concerns from his family. Still, he remains resolute.
“Trying to end witch-hunting is a challenge,” he said. “It’s not part of our culture to kill our parents. It’s not part of our culture killing innocent people.”
A Call for Compassion and Understanding
As accusations and violence linked to witchcraft continue, Dr Igwe and his team persist in their mission to challenge these harmful beliefs.
By advocating for the accused and pushing for cultural change, they hope to prevent further suffering and loss of life.
For now, Dr Igwe’s work represents a crucial lifeline for those caught in the crosshairs of superstition and societal fears.
“My realisation is that I have to step forward and try to provide leadership,” he said.