No fewer than three people have been tortured to death for allegedly engaging in wizardry in a community in Cross Rivers State.

WuzupNigeria reports that 24 women tagged witches were also tortured and left with varying degree of burns at  Oku-Bushuyu village in Boki Local Government Area of the state.

According to reports, three chiefs in the community – former Manager of Boki Oil Palm Estate in Borum, Chief Benard Kekong, Edward Kekong and John Otu – were killed on allegation of being wizards.

Quoting an unnamed source, The Newtelegraph said the attack on the victims, which took place on Thursday, was allegedly spearheaded by a political appointee of the state government.

“The elderly victims, accused of being witches and wizards, were brought out from their homes and burnt. Three have died while those still alive are writhing in pains. Those in pain could not get medical treatment anywhere, not even in Okundi, as the political appointee warned that whoever treated those suffering from burns would suffer the same fate,” the paper wrote.

“The police in Okundi also could not do anything about the situation because the troublesome political appointee warned them to stay away from Oku. Villagers have fled to neighbouring communities on self-exile to avoid being attacked by the man and his boys. Even the clan head, Bernard Nku, is also on the run.”

The Permanent Secretary, Office of the State Security Adviser, Sir Alfred Mboto, said he was told that the atrocities were committed by some youths of the community.

He said:

“I have been able to reach my SSA (State Security Adviser, Central) and my SSA has been able to make contact with the community. He will give me a full briefing.

“But what they said was that some youths of the village decided to take on elders claiming that those elders are witches and wizards. One of the youths was using a mirror to show them who is this or that.

“But it is true that some properties have been destroyed. I want to get the raw facts, because some people are even telling me that some people have been killed. We have to send our security informants to get the right information. However, if that happened, I have set in motion plans to arrest those who carried out the act along with the person who carried the mirror.”