Leo Igwe: The Activist Defending Nigeria's Accused Witches

Dr. Leo Igwe, through his organization Advocacy for Alleged Witches, is challenging the dangerous practice of witch-hunting in Nigeria, which leads to violence and fatalities among the vulnerable accused. By addressing the stigma and societal fears surrounding witchcraft, Igwe’s mission extends across multiple African nations, promoting compassion and reason as antidotes to superstition.

Dr. Leo Igwe has become a prominent figure in Nigeria, championing the rights of individuals unjustly accused of witchcraft, a phenomenon that can lead to severe repercussions, including violence and lynchings. “I could no longer take it... seeing people being killed randomly,” he said, recounting his motivation to confront these cultural atrocities.

After earning his doctorate in religious studies in 2017, Igwe felt a pressing need to go beyond academia to tackle this urgent social issue directly. He founded the Advocacy for Alleged Witches, an organization committed to employing "compassion, reason, and science" to mitigate the life-threatening effects of superstition on the accused.

Reports show that Pentecostal pastors in Nigeria frequently hold services that target alleged witches, reflecting widespread belief in magic and the supernatural. Warning about the disturbing nature of this subject, Igwe's group has expanded its outreach beyond Nigeria to countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.

Igwe's efforts have proven crucial in cases like that of Jude, a 33-year-old man who was accused of witchcraft in Benue State. After making a remark about a young boy carrying heavy jars, Jude was assaulted by a mob of around 15 people, who claimed he had invoked witchcraft to cause the boy’s alleged disappearance of genitalia. This kind of accusation is rooted in Koro syndrome, a mental condition marked by an irrational fear of the genitalia disappearing.

After being brutally attacked, Jude lost his job at the bank due to the stigmatization that followed. When Igwe's organization caught wind of the incident via a viral video, they quickly intervened, providing physical and social support—including medical aid and assistance in re-enrolling Jude in university.

In Nigeria, superstitions related to witchcraft shape societal views that often blame various life challenges—financial instability, illness, or infertility—on witchcraft. Consequently, those who are accused are frequently the most vulnerable segments of society, including the elderly, youth, and those with mental health issues.

According to Nigeria Watch, an organization monitoring violence, there have been eight reported deaths linked to witchcraft accusations in early 2024 alone. While the veracity of these stats hasn't been independently verified, numerous cases of violence and murder due to witchcraft accusations have been documented.

Experts, such as Dr. Olaleye Kayode from the University of Ibadan, emphasize that belief in witchcraft is interwoven in Nigeria's cultural fabric. He critiques the role of influential Christian leaders who fuel witch-hunting through fearmongering at events touting themes like “That Witch Must Die.” Despite efforts by Igwe to petition against these dangerous gatherings, many events persist unchecked.

Setting the record straight, Julius Osimen, a pastor from a Lagos church, voices opposition to the harmful narrative propagated by churches that endorse witch-hunting. He asserts that Jesus’s ministry advocating healing over violence should be the guiding principle for today’s religious practices.

Igwe, however, has faced violence himself for his activism, sustaining injuries as he navigated the treacherous terrain of defending the oppressed. Threats to his family have been another toll of his mission, yet his resolve remains unwavering: “I have to step forward and try to provide leadership.”

In Nigeria, while accusations of witchcraft can lead to a two-year prison term, enforcement of such laws is scarce. Despite a 2021 UN Human Rights Council resolution denouncing human rights violations linked to witchcraft accusations, both faith and folklore continue to perpetuate this tragic cycle of violence throughout Africa and beyond.

Igwe stresses the importance of reframing the narrative around witch-hunting: “It’s not part of our culture to kill innocent people.” By advocating for reason and compassion, he hopes to dismantle the practices that endanger lives and threaten the very fabric of society.