The group described the action as unconstitutional and a violation of religious freedom.
The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) has condemned the recent police invasion and evacuation of individuals associated with a traditional religious object known as Agwu (also referred to as Aghara or Charm) from a community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
The group described the action as unconstitutional and a violation of religious freedom.
In a statement issued by its Director, Leo Igwe, AfAW said the police operation, reportedly involving shootings, beatings, abuse, and destruction of property, amounts to an abuse of power and a misuse of law enforcement resources.
“The Nigerian Constitution does not recognise ‘agwucraft’, ‘witchcraft’, or any similar belief system as a crime,” Igwe said.
“On the contrary, witchcraft accusation itself is an offence under the law. The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of religion or belief, including traditional religious practices.”
Igwe described the police evacuation of individuals linked to the Agwu object as illegal and urged authorities to hold the officers involved accountable.
“Police officers who carried out this mission should be summoned, penalised, and sent back to the police college for retraining,” he said.
“At a time when Nigeria has faced international criticism and sanctions over violations of religious freedom, this incident shows that much more needs to be done.”
The condemnation follows an earlier report by SaharaReporters, which revealed that a dispute over the Agwu object had escalated into allegations of police brutality, extortion, and witchcraft persecution in Imo State.
According to that report, the conflict centres on Mr. Joseph Ottih, a 70-year-old resident whose family claims they were violently attacked, displaced from their home, and criminalised after refusing to remove the ritual object from their compound.
Human rights advocates say the case highlights how deeply entrenched witchcraft accusations and traditional beliefs can intersect with policing to fuel abuse and impunity.
“This is a clear case of witch persecution enabled by the police,” Igwe said, reiterating AfAW’s position.
“It is the accusers, not the accused, who should be arrested and prosecuted.”
Video clips made available to SaharaReporters' on Monday show heavily armed police officers reportedly from the notorious Anti-kidnapping Unit of Imo Police Command, otherwise known as 'Tiger Base' beating and assaulting female children of the septogenarian.
In one of the videos, a police operative with AK-47 attached with double magazine was seen slapping and hitting one of the daughters' of Mr Ottih for questioning why police should invade their home and start beating his aged father for committing no crime known to law.
Several pictures of the attack and invasion seen by SaharaReporters show the doors, windows and valuable properties including motorcycle were destroyed by the invading policemen.
The economic trees including palm trees and fruits were equally destroyed in the family.
Rights groups are now calling on the Imo State Police Command and federal authorities to investigate the incident, compensate victims, and ensure that law enforcement officers uphold constitutional protections rather than reinforce harmful and unlawful beliefs.