An 85-year-old woman in Zamfara State has allegedly suffered severe physical abuse after being accused of witchcraft following a visit to a woman who had recently given birth.
The incident was disclosed by the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW), whose Director, Leo Igwe, said the organisation received an audio recording of the alleged assault from the Zamfara office of the National Human Rights Commission on August 18, 2026.
According to Igwe, the elderly woman had visited the new mother to exchange pleasantries but was allegedly accused of being responsible for witchcraft. Although she denied the allegation, a mob reportedly gathered and attacked her.
The woman was allegedly beaten with sticks and pestles, pelted with stones and dragged across the floor. She reportedly sustained injuries to her head and hand, with blood flowing from the wounds.
Igwe further alleged that the attackers stripped the woman and forced her to step over the newborn several times as a supposed way of proving that she was not a witch. She was also allegedly forced to repeat the act with the baby’s mother.
The woman was eventually taken to a hospital where she received treatment and was later discharged. However, AfAW said the alleged harassment continued after her release.
The organisation also claimed that some of the alleged attackers were members of the victim’s family.
Igwe appealed to the Zamfara State Government and security agencies to investigate the matter, protect the victim and ensure that anyone found responsible is prosecuted.
He warned that accusations of witchcraft must never be used to justify violence or deny victims their rights.
Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Police Command said the matter had not previously been reported. Its spokesperson, Abubakar Yazid, however, said the command would look into the allegation and take necessary action.
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