By Patrick Obia
The late Mrs. Iquo Edet Eyo who was accused, beaten, and killed on account of witchcraft in Ndong Nwong village, Okurikang Community in Odukpani Local Government Area of Nigeria’s Cross River State in October 2022 has been laid to rest.
Mrs. Iquo Edet Eyo and four other suspects were tortured, killed, and buried in a forest over witchcraft allegations by some youths of the same community.
The 69 years old was interred in her hometown held on Saturday, 13, January 2024 at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Mbiabong Parish, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
The Story
The sad event began on Wednesday, 12 October 2022 when a little boy of 8-9 years age bracket (name withheld) confessed to killing his uncle who died in a motorcycle accident.
His confession led to the arrest and torture of 9 people (3 women, 4 men, and 2 children) but only 3 women and 2 men were killed and buried in the forest while 2 men and 2 children were not killed. Those not killed according to eyewitnesses because they confessed to still holding many youths in bondage. But Mrs. Iquo’s killing was that of mistaken identity.
Her children, Akon Asuquo and Effiong Asuquo both narrated what transpired to CrossRiverWatch.
The police in Cross River State on Tuesday, December 12, 2022, recovered and exhumed the body of 5 persons who were beaten to death including that of Mrs. Iquo Eyo.
The police who had earlier arrested some suspects connected to the incident said their investigation had uncovered where the victims were buried in an unmarked grave deep inside the community forest.
Speaking on the discovery, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo, thanked members of the public for their support and assured the family and the general public that the police will do all within its powers to ensure that justice is served.
The police spokesperson had earlier described the incident as “barbaric, and unacceptable” and that the police “will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the arrested suspects faced the full weight of the law.”
Video and photo credit: Basic Rights Counsel Initiative
