IHEU representative Leo Igwe reports that the police in Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria have arrested a “prophet” named Gideon Peter over the alleged murder of two children during an attempt to exorcise them of witchcraft. The arrest is positive news for IHEU’s campaign to stamp out child abuse committed by so-called witch hunters.
The news was issued in a statement at a press conference by Walter Rugbere the police commissioner in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo. The children, Abasi-Ifreke Monday (aged 7) and Edidiong Monday (10), were said to have died after the prophet administered a concoction of olive oil on them. According to the commissioner, the prophet confessed that the children were brought to him by their parents on December 29, 2009 in his church.
The prophet, the commissioner said, confessed that, after administering the olive oil, the children became weak and died despite being taken to the hospital for treatment.
Investigations continue.