TRADITIONAL rulers and community leaders across Nigeria have been called upon to stop abuses against alleged witches in their communities, as advocates warn that chiefs are actively enabling persecution through their silence and participation.
Dr. Leo Igwe, Convener of the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW), made the appeal at a press briefing in Enugu on Thursday, ahead of the commemoration of the 2026 World Day Against Witch Hunts, which falls on August 10.
This year’s theme, “Chiefs and Ending Witch Hunts in Communities,” seeks to draw attention to the critical role traditional leaders play in either perpetuating or ending the scourge.
‘Chiefs Are Key Actors in Witchcraft Persecution’
Igwe accused community leaders of aiding witch hunts by encouraging attacks including beatings, stripping naked, and other forms of violence against alleged witches.
“Chiefs, traditional rulers and community leaders are critical in the management of witchcraft accusations including the reinforcement, weakening and eradication of witch persecutions,” Igwe stated.
“In many cases, chiefs enable witch hunts because as traditional rulers and community leaders, chiefs are witch hunters. They engage in witch finding, and identification. Chiefs are involved in accusations of witchcraft or occult harm. They persecute persons accused of witchcraft.”
He further alleged that chiefs preside over witch trials and banishment, sanctioning jungle justice and vigilantism against accused persons, while upholding witch hunts as a form of community service or “tradition and culture” rather than a heinous crime.
‘There Are No Witches’
The Convener pointed out that those tagged as witches are often individuals suffering from dementia or engaging in natural worship, facing persecution in communities across Nigeria.
Igwe noted that Western countries, including Scotland, have outlawed attacks against alleged witches, and urged community leaders in Nigeria, particularly in Igboland, to follow suit.
“All chiefs should know that witch hunting is unconstitutional and cannot be tolerated or justified as a form of African culture or tradition,” he declared.
UN Resolution and Decade of Activism
The call aligns with the 2021 UN resolution urging states to combat human rights violations perpetrated in the name of witchcraft or ritualistic beliefs. The month of August has been set aside to highlight abuses, raise awareness, and outline measures to address these violations.
AfAW, founded in 2020 to end witch hunts in Africa, is currently prosecuting a decade of activism against witch persecution from 2020 to 2030.
“All chiefs should become agents of positive and progressive change, and facilitate the eradication of witch persecution in communities. All chiefs should become advocates against witch persecution nationwide and continent wide,” Igwe appealed.
He urged chiefs to guard against instigating witch hunts in their respective areas, warning that such practices cannot be tolerated or justified as African culture or tradition.