ENUGU, Nigeria — A human rights organisation has arranged medical care for a woman who was allegedly tortured after being accused of witchcraft in Enugu State.
Police have also opened an investigation into the assault, during which the woman was allegedly forced to eat human faeces.
The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) said it was working with the Enugu State Ministry for Gender and Women Affairs to secure medical treatment and rehabilitation for the victim.
The woman, identified by police as Chinenye Okonkwo, is approximately 60 years old.
State Government Pledges Medical Assistance
Leo Igwe, director of AfAW, said representatives of the organisation had met with the state commissioner responsible for gender and women’s affairs, who pledged to assist Okonkwo.
According to the organisation, arrangements were being made for the woman to undergo a comprehensive medical examination at Parklane Hospital, a government-owned facility in Enugu.
An AfAW representative who attended the meeting confirmed the commissioner’s commitment.
“We just finished with the meeting with the commissioner now and she said that they’ll take the woman to Parklane, which is a government-owned hospital, for a thorough body check-up…” the representative said.
Igwe said AfAW would continue collaborating with the ministry and other relevant agencies to ensure that Okonkwo received medical attention, rehabilitation, and other necessary support.
The organisation welcomed the government’s response and said it remained committed to assisting victims of violence arising from witchcraft accusations.
Police Launch Investigation Into Alleged Assault
The Enugu State Police Command has directed its State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the alleged assault in Amafu Village, Ugbawka, in Nkanu East Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 12, 2026, police spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe said Commissioner of Police Mamman Bitrus Giwa had ordered an investigation after a video of the woman’s treatment circulated online.
The video, shared on X, showed the woman being publicly humiliated following accusations that she was responsible for a relative’s death.
Police said officers from the Nkanu East Division had visited Okonkwo and recorded her statement.
According to preliminary findings, she was subjected to severe abuse after being accused of witchcraft and blamed for the death of her husband’s brother’s wife.
The alleged mistreatment included forcing her to consume human faeces.
The police said efforts were underway to identify and apprehend those responsible.
“Efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest the perpetrators, who are currently at large,” Ndukwe said.
Giwa condemned the alleged violence and ordered investigators to pursue those involved.
He also warned against taking the law into one’s own hands and said those found responsible would face prosecution.
Rights Group Calls for Accountability
AfAW welcomed the police investigation but urged the authorities to ensure that it resulted in the identification and prosecution of those responsible.
Igwe expressed concern about the handling of witchcraft-related violence in Nigeria, alleging that many incidents were never formally investigated or brought before the courts.
He accused some police officers of compromising investigations and seeking financial benefits from complainants and suspects rather than pursuing criminal accountability.
The allegations formed part of his organisation’s broader criticism of the handling of witchcraft accusations by law enforcement agencies.
AfAW urged the Enugu State Police Command to conduct an impartial investigation and ensure that the alleged attackers were brought to justice.
The organisation said it would continue working with relevant authorities to obtain assistance for Okonkwo and monitor the police response.
The Trent previously reported that AfAW had called for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the woman’s public humiliation and alleged assault.
The latest developments follow that appeal, with police now investigating the incident and arrangements being made for the woman’s medical examination and rehabilitation.
