Woman wrongfully killed over witchcraft in Cross River laid to rest

By Frank Ulom

A woman, Mrs Iquo Edet Eyo (a.k.a Adiaha Guitar) who was wrongfully accused of witchcraft and later killed by an angry mob in Cross River State, has been laid to rest.

Late Mrs Eyo, CONVERSEER learned was buried on Saturday 13 January 2023 in her hometown in Mbiaobong, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital. The burial was organised by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Mbiabong Parish.

The 69-year-old was wrongfully accused of witchcraft and later beaten to death in October 2022 by youths in Ndong Nwong village, Okurikang Community in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.

She and four others were tortured, killed and buried in an evil forest over witchcraft allegations by youths of the community.

Mrs Iquo Edet Eyo

According to CrossRiverWatch, Mrs Eyo and four others met their untimely death on Wednesday 12 October 2022, when a boy between the age range of 8-9 confessed to killing his uncle who died in a motorcycle accident.

“The boy’s confession led to the arrest and torture of nine persons (three women, four men, and two children) but only three women and two men were killed and buried in the forest while the other two men and two children were spared by the youths.

“Those spared, according to sources, were because they confessed to be holding many youths in bondage. But, Mrs Eyo’s killing was that of mistaken identity,” her children, Akon Asuquo and Effiong Asuquo told CrossRiverWatch.

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Two months later, the Cross River State Police Command swung in on Tuesday 12 December 2022, recovered and exhumed the bodies of five persons killed over alleged witchcraft, including that of Mrs Iquo Edet Eyo.

The police who uncovered where the victims were buried in an unmarked grave deep inside the community forest, later arrested some suspects connected to the incident.

Police spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, earlier described the incident as “barbaric, and unacceptable” adding that “the police will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the arrested suspects faced the full weight of the law.”

Meanwhile, the appreciation message conveyed by her family read: “The family of late Iquo EDET Eyo are grateful, first of all to the Almighty God for His mercies and kindness in making everything beautiful in His own time.

“We also want to thank the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Mbiaobong Paris, Uyo, Akwa Ibom for their support in giving our dear mother a befitting burial.

“We also thank the man of God, Very Rev. Capt. David BASSEY for his kind gesture and benevolence during our time of grief, may the Almighty God bless you richly.

“Our Ernest appreciation also goes to our relations, loved ones, friends, colleagues and sympathisers far and near who in their busy schedules find time to share with us in moments of grief, may the Almighty God bless you all richly.

“May the Almighty God grant you all journey mercies to your different destinations in Jesus’ name, amen.”