Mrs Ozoemena, a woman from Uga community in the Aguata local government area of the state was on Saturday tortured and humiliated by villagers over their suspicion that she was responsible for the death of her daughter.
A civic organisation, the Advocacy for Alleged Witches, has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria, to ensure that one Mrs Ozoemena, accused of killing her daughter through witchcraft is safe.
Mrs Ozoemena, a woman from Uga community in the Aguata local government area of the state was on Saturday tortured and humiliated by villagers over their suspicion that she was responsible for the death of her daughter.
The incident, which happened at Umueze Uga, according to a viral video on social media. The youths of the village beat the woman and forced her to carry the corpse of her daughter, who had died a day before.
According to various reports, the deceased identified as Ogochukwu Ozoemena, died on Friday night —a death the assaulters believed to be untimely, mysterious, and suspicious.
However, because of the presumed mysterious nature of her death, the youths of the community insisted that she would not be buried until the cause of her death was unravelled.
Hence, the corpse was dumped in front of the house, while the rampaging youths continued to call for an investigation, oath-taking, and other approaches they believed were capable of revealing the true cause of her death.
According to various accounts in the videos, a self-acclaimed pastor and brother of the deceased, one Mr Nonso Ozoemena, pointed at some locations in the compound and urged the youths to dig the places, saying he perceived that charms were buried therein.
The scene became more dramatic as charms, including buried ram, kola nuts and other diabolical items were exhumed from the places by the youths; while Nonso, who claimed to be speaking under the influence of the “Holy Spirit” continued to point at more places for excavation, including an orange tree, which he said must be uprooted for the charms buried underneath to be exhumed and destroyed.
Some of the speculators captured in the video alleged that the charms might have been buried by the deceased’s mother, who they alleged was not on good terms with the deceased and some of her siblings.
Some also labelled her a witch and diabolic woman; while some village women were ordered to give her the beating of her life.
However, the maltreatment got to its peak when the deceased’s mother was ordered to carry the corpse of her daughter and sit on the ground for some time before she would be taken to the mortuary.
This happened after the youths had put the corpse in an ambulance, but it was later brought out and forced on the poor woman who was seated on the ground, with the corpse put on her lap as though she was breastfeeding her.
While on the ground with the corpse on her hands and lap, the woman said she was innocent and had nothing to do with her daughter’s death. Meanwhile, the villagers took pictures and videos of her as she lamented in tears.
“I am innocent ooo. I don’t have hands in my daughter’s death. Why would I kill my own daughter? She is my daughter, I am innocent!” she lamented in agony as she held her daughter’s corpse on her lap.
The corpse was eventually retrieved from her and taken to the mortuary; while some of the villagers were seen following her around and making fun of her.
However, the Advocacy for Alleged Witches in a letter addressed to Governor Soludo titled: "Witchcraft Accusation and Forced Disappearance of Mrs Ozoemena," signed by its Director, Dr Leo Igwe, appealed to the governor to use his position to enforce the rule of law, justice and human rights in the case and find the woman.
The group stated that there are conflicting reports on her whereabouts, adding that while some people said she had been killed, others claimed she was banished from her community.
The letter partly read, "I am writing on behalf of the Advocacy for Alleged Witches to ascertain the whereabouts of Mrs Ozoemena from Umueze, in Uga, Aguata Local Governemnt Area.
"According to news report, over the weekend, Mrs Ozoemena's community members accused her of killing her child through witchcraft. They subjected her to some torture, inhumane, degrading and barbaric treatment. At the moment there is tension in the village.
"A mob has been on rampage. The whereabouts of Mrs Ozoemena are unknown. Some people are speculating that she has been killed. Others are saying that she was banished. But nobody can confirm if she is dead or alive.
"Your Excellency, please do not allow Mrs Ozoemena to disappear like some alleged witches. Please use your position to enforce the rule of law, justice and human rights.
"Please use your good office to confirm her whereabouts, and ensure that she suffers no further harm or abuse.”
"Thanks in anticipation of your urgent action and intervention," the letter reads.