Ten-year-old child poisoned to death for witchcraft in Akwa Ibom

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has arrested one Akan Umoh and his wife, Rita Umoh, parents of 10-year-old Master Saviour Umoh for poisoning him to death for witchcraft.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon said Saviour was poisoned with a concoction called “Evil Beans” on premise that it was to remove witchcraft from him.

According to Macdon, the boy was said to have been declared a witch through a prophecy which his parents alleged was responsible for their economic misfortunes and health challenges, as well as the poor academic performance of his siblings.

In a press statement signed by Macdon on Tuesday in Uyo and made available to newsmen, the parents of the boy who have confessed to the crime have been arrested.

“On 29th August, 2021, at about 4:30pm, relying  on information received  from one Mfon Francis, of Ekpat Iduot village that one Akan Jimmy Umoh and his wife Rita Jimmy Umoh of same address, conspired and poisoned to death her stepson, one Master Savior Jimmy Umoh, a 10 year old boy on the allegation of witchcraft.

“Detectives of Abak Division swiftly responded and arrested the duo of Akan and Rita Jimmy Umoh who are father and step-mother of the deceased.

“On interrogation, suspects confessed to have administered poisonous concoction called “Evil Beans” on the child to remove witchcraft, which they, according to prophecy, claimed was the cause of their economic misfortunes and health challenges including the poor academic performance of his half siblings.

“A search in the house revealed a boldly written inscription on the wall by the step-mother, “Saviour is the witch of this house”. Photographs were taken while the corpse was removed and deposited in the mortuary for autopsy,” he stated.

The PPRO also revealed that a Welder, one Ekike David, suspected to be a specialist in making and selling locally made rifles and other types of guns to criminal elements have been arrested with eight locally fabricated AK47 Rifles, one pump action, one pistol and six Dane guns.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Amiengheme Andrew, has assured that the perpetrators of these crimes will be prosecuted, and urged members of the public to be vigilant and assist them with timely information that will assist in the curbing of crimes.

He said, “On the 13th of September, 2021, at about 1pm, Surveillance Team of ‘A’ Division located at Barracks Road, while on routine stop and search operation to stem criminal activities along Uyo Village Road and environs, arrested one Ekike Hector David of Mbiokporo 1 in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area with eight (8) locally fabricated AK47 Rifles, one (1) Pump Action, one (1) pistol and six (6) Dane Guns.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a Welder who specializes in making and selling locally made Rifles and other types of guns to criminal elements who use same in terrorising innocent members of the public.”