By The Borgen Project onWorld News
SEATTLE, Washington — For more than 20 years, accusations of witchcraft have been used to justify violence, abandonment and even the killing of children in Nigeria, one ofAfrica’s wealthiest nations. Despite its resources, Nigeria is plagued by poverty. This leads some parents and families to blame children for their hardships, often labeling them as witches. Recently, this phenomenon has spread across every region of the country, including the federal capital, Abuja.
Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, in particular, have been in the spotlight for nearly three decades due to cases where children are branded as witches or wizards. The children are subjected to torture, mutilation, abandonment and even death out of fear they’re cursed with powers to harm their families.
In an article submitted to The Borgen Project, Sam Ikpe Itauma, president of theChild’s Rights and Rehabilitation Network(CRARN), highlights the dire circumstances faced by these vulnerable individuals.
The Children Abandoned in Lemna’s Waste
“We first went to Lemna, Calabar, in Cross River State, where more than 300 children are taking refuge at a dump site,” Itauma stated. This location is where the government waste agency deposits refuse weekly. According to Itauma, they found children as young as two months old born to girls aged 13 to 15 at Lemna. The children have no access to food other than scavenging through the rubbish at the dump site.
Among them was Gladys, a 15-year-old girl with a 6-month-old baby. Gladys shared that she arrived at the dump site when she was eight years old. Since then she has given birth twice. Gladys expressed that she does not know the identities of her children’s fathers, as she has been involved with multiple men, including the guards at the site. “When we inquired about her journey to the dumpsite, she recounted that her father divorced her mother and remarried. Upon the arrival of her stepmother and her two children, she was accused of witchcraft, which ultimately led to her abandonment,” Itauma shared with The Borgen Project.
Another child named Effiong, 14 years old, has lived in Lemna for the past eight years. His mother gave birth to him while she was still in high school. The teacher responsible for her pregnancy denied any involvement despite police intervention. No meaningful action was taken, as the teacher was subsequently transferred to another area in the state. Effiong ended up at the dump site after his mother remarried a man who had four children of his own.
The Hidden Causes of the Child Witch Phenomenon in Nigeria
According to Itauma, “A community leader and former Supervisory Councilor in Eket Local Government Area, Hon. Godwin Ekpuk, blamed the child witch phenomenon on poverty and the activities of oil companies in the area. ‘The economic situation in this country, especially in the Niger Delta Region, is very poor. Most parents don’t have the money to send their children to school, not to talk about feeding the families as a whole. The poverty crisis is alarming and when parents can’t find solutions to their problems, they blame their children with the help of some phony religious preachers. Besides, oil companies’ activities like gas flares not only destroy crops planted by people in this area but also render the soil unusable and infertile.’”
In most regions of the Niger Delta, rainwater and streams serve as the primary sources of drinking water. However, oil pollution has contaminated these water sources, severely impacting both streams and rainwater. As a result, fishermen have seen their livelihoods devastated, with many recording zero catches. This loss further entrenches the cycle of poverty and exacerbates the stigma of witchcraft surrounding children.
About CRARN
CRARN is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping vulnerable children affected by witchcraft stigmatization in Nigeria. Itauma started campaigning and fighting for the rights of children and older adults accused of witchcraft in 2000. However, Itauma established CRARN in 2003 after witnessing some angry youths brutally attack three children who went to the market to beg.
Innovative Solutions and Interventions by CRARN
CRARN has implemented a multifaceted approach to address these complex issues. These include:
- Rescue and Shelter:CRARN provides immediate refuge for children who have been abandoned or abused due to witchcraft accusations. By setting up safe homes, CRARN ensures these children have access to food, shelter and medical care in a protective environment.
- Education and Rehabilitation:Recognizing that education is crucial for breaking the cycle of stigma, CRARN has established educational programs to help reintegrate these children into society. It offers formal and informal education, life skills training and psychological counseling to address trauma and empower children.
- Advocacy and Public Awareness:CRARN actively engages with local communities, government bodies and international organizations to advocate for children’s rights. By organizing awareness campaigns, conducting research and collaborating with media outlets, CRARN sheds light on the damaging effects of stigmatization and works to change public perceptions.
- Legal Aid and Policy Advocacy:CRARN partners with legal professionals and human rights organizations to seek justice for abused children. It works tirelessly to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. Furthermore, they advocate for policy changes that protect vulnerable children from abuse and exploitation.
Significant Impacts
Through these innovative interventions, CRARN has made significant strides in transforming the lives of at-risk children in Nigeria:
- Since its inception, CRARN has rescued and rehabilitated more than 8,000 children from situations of abuse and abandonment. These children have been given a second chance to live dignified lives through education, shelter and support.
- CRARN’s holistic rehabilitation program has successfully reintegrated hundreds of children back into their communities, families and schools. Many of these children have gone on to lead productive lives, with some excelling in academics and vocational training.
- CRARN’s advocacy efforts have resulted in a gradual shift in public attitudes toward children accused of witchcraft. With continuous media campaigns, sensitization workshops and community dialogues, more families and communities are now rejecting these harmful practices.
- Through partnerships with international agencies such as UNICEF and local governments, CRARN has facilitated broader discussions about child rights protection. Its work has inspired regional policies aimed at ending child stigmatization and abuse.
Conclusion
CRARN continues to face significant challenges in its mission to protect and rehabilitate children stigmatized as “witches” in Nigeria. The deep-rooted cultural beliefs and lack of government support exacerbate the vulnerability of these children. They are often exposed to abuse, neglect and societal exclusion. Despite these overwhelming obstacles, the organization remains steadfast in providing a haven, education and emotional support to affected children.
However, the organization cannot do it alone. CRARN urgently calls for increased international awareness and partnerships to expand its programs and advocacy efforts. Only through a concerted global effort can harmful superstitions be dismantled and child protection laws strengthened. CRARN believes that with sustained support, the future holds the promise of a society where no child is condemned for simply being different. Furthermore, every child has the right to grow up free from fear and discrimination, being nurtured, protected and empowered.
– Staff Report
Photo: Pexels
