Graphic photo: 2 men accused of being witches burnt to death by mob in Cross River State

Two elderly men were burnt to death by an angry mob in Akwa Ikot Effanga in Akpabuyo LGA of Cross Rivers state on Sunday, July 3.

According to Leo Igwe, who published the post on Facebook, the men identified as Chief Bassey Effiom Ngwe and Mr Asuquo Effing Etim were lynched by a mob after a native doctor accused them of being responsible for the deaths of several young people in the village. 

"The native doctor is currently in police custody but according to my local contact person none of those who killed the alleged witches had been arrested. There are concerns that the matter may eventually die, that the 'native doctors' could be released any moment from now and nobody would be brought to justice! UPDATE(1) Last night, some hoodlums suspected to be part of the lynch mob attacked and looted the home of one of the alleged witches because the son is helping the police with the investigation and arrests. The young man is living in fear for his life."

In a later update on July 7, Mr Igwe, who worked at International Humanist and Ethical Union called on the Assistant Commissioner of Police to investigate the matter and arrest those involved in the murder of the men.

"ACT NOW. I am using this medium to ask you to contact ACP Bunmi Osoko (TEL NO. +2348033004406) Officer in-charge State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Cross River State police headquarters (Nigeria) and urge him to investigate and bring to justice those who lynched TWO ALLEGED WITCHES, CHIEF BASSEY EFFIOM NGWE and MR ASUQUO EFFIONG ETIM from Akwa Ikot Effanga in Akpabuyo LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria.

(Graphic: See attached the blazing remains of Chief Bassey Effiom Ngwe)

The alleged witches were killed by a lynch mob ON SUNDAY JULY 3 2016 after a 'native doctor' declared that they were responsible for several deaths of young people in the village. The native doctor is currently in police custody but according to my local contact person, none of those who killed the alleged witches had been arrested. There are concerns that the matter may eventually die if pressure is not brought on the Nigerian state and police authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice! In addition, the lynch mob had attacked and looted the house of CHIEF BASSEY EFFIOM NGWE after the son reported the case to the police. The son has fled the community and is currently in hiding.

We need you to take urgent action NOW!
PLEASE call ACP Bunmi Osoko (TEL NO. +2348033004406). You can also contact the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, the Governor of Cross River, Benedict Ayade, Inspector General of Police in Abuja to take action on the matter!
Witch hunting must stop. Witch hunters must be brought to justice"