He insisted that the arrest of one Mrs. Obiageri Ottih by the police was based on allegations of attempted murder and not witchcraft-related practices, contrary to claims circulating within and outside the community.
The Chairman of Ndionyemagorom Village, Awa, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, Mr. Nelson Ottih, has issued a detailed account of recent violent incidents in his community.
He insisted that the arrest of one Mrs. Obiageri Ottih by the police was based on allegations of attempted murder and not witchcraft-related practices, contrary to claims circulating within and outside the community.
There have been reports that the Nigerian police invaded people associated with a traditional religious object known as Agwu (also referred to as Aghara or charm) from the community.
Some groups including The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) 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.”
However, providing a fresh detail on the incident, the village chairman claimed that the position of the AfAW is wrong.
The village head said the suspect was arrested by the police over alleged murder.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, Ottih said, The wife of Joseph Ottih, Obiageri was arrested by the police for attempted murder and not witchcraft practice as twisted.”
He explained that the crisis began on December 28, 2025, when his father’s compound was allegedly invaded by angry villagers and members of a local vigilante group following allegations that Mr. Joseph Ottih and his wife had introduced an “Agbara (Deity)” from another community into the compound.
Ottih stated, “On the 28th of December 2025, my father’s compound was besieged by angry mobs and some men of the vigilante (security officers) who said that Mr Joseph Ottih and his wife Obiageri brought in an Agbara (Deity) from another community into my father’s compound and alleged that the Agbara is disturbing the entire community.”
He alleged that efforts by the villagers and vigilante operatives to access the area where the deity was said to be kept were met with violent resistance.
According to him, “Joseph Ottih, his wife Obiageri and children fought both the villagers and the security men to standstill not to gain access into the place where they said the Agbara was.”
Ottih further alleged that video recordings captured the confrontation, stating that the family members were “caught on camera with all manner of dangerous weapons fighting the security men and villagers.”
Following the failed initial intervention, Ottih said the villagers sought police involvement to verify the allegations and conduct a proper investigation.
He said, “When the first attempt failed, the villagers resorted to using men of the police force to at least ascertain exactly what the villagers reported to them and investigate if the matter properly.”
According to the village chairman, the arrival of police officers did not de-escalate the situation. Instead, he alleged that the confrontation intensified.
He said, “Mr Joseph Ottih, his wife Obiageri and children Chinecherem, Favor, Chilota and Chisimdiri unleashed war on the police officers who were invited by the villagers to help them find out what exactly Mr Joseph Ottih and family does with the Agbara (Deity).”
Ottih further alleged that the villagers had raised grave suspicions about activities within the compound, stating, “The villagers alleged that they noticed that troops of strange persons, especially young girls trooped into my father’s compound and most times they didn’t see them leave the compound, and nobody could tell what had happened to any of the strangers.”
Despite resistance, Ottih said police officers eventually gained control of the situation.
He said, “To the surprise of all, Joseph Ottih, his wife Obiageri and children fought the police officers, as they were also caught on camera using dangerous weapons to attack the police officer. With extreme pressure, they gained control of the place, and carried the Agbara to their station for a detailed investigation.”
He added that after the deity was removed, the family vacated the compound.
He said, “After the police officers had carried the deity, Joseph Ottih, his wife and children left the compound, maybe with the fear that they would be arrested by the police, but the police officers never arrested anybody.”
Ottih alleged that the violence escalated the following day.
He said, “On the 29th December 2025, Joseph Ottih, his wife Obiageri and children returned to the compound with a more deadly violent mood, with dangerous weapons.”
According to him, the family allegedly attacked his young daughter, Chinenye.
Ottih stated, “They saw my little daughter Chinenye inside the compound, descended on her, beat her to near death, while she was struggling to save herself and crying on a loud voice.”
He said passersby intervened, but alleged that Obiageri inflicted a critical blow.
He added: “It was then Mr Joseph’s wife, Obiageri, picked up a wooden pestle and hit her at the back of her neck, she slumped and passed out, thinking she was dead, they took their heels and ran out of the compound.”
Ottih said the child was rushed for medical care, “first to Federal Medical Center, and when she was not quickly attended to due to the ongoing strike, she was later rushed to SaveAlife hospital within Amakohia axis and immediately treatment was commenced on her.”
He added, “It took the special grace of God and the swift intervention of the medical personnel in SaveAlife hospital to save my daughter.”
According to Ottih, the incident prompted him to formally petition the police.
He said, “It was on this act that warranted my petition to the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, on the 30th day of December 2025 against Mr Joseph Ottih and his wife Obiageri that led to the arrest Obiageri on the 3rd of January 2026.”
Ottih further alleged that Obiageri was first detained by community vigilante members before being taken to the traditional ruler.
He said, “Obiageri was first arrested by the community vigilante and taken to the palace of the traditional ruler of my community Awa, Eze Felix Ihezie Ononuju, who described the actions of Obiageri as an abomination in Awa kingdom and thereafter he handed her over to the police officers from Owerri Command for onward investigation.”
He added that she was later released on bail, stating, “Few days later, she was granted bail while feigning sick, and I was informed by the police.”
Ottih also accused Joseph Ottih and his wife of attempting to mislead police investigators during a follow-up appearance.
“Joseph Ottih and his wife were asked to return to the police station on Tuesday, 13th January 2026 together with their children involved in beating my daughter and a chief or an elder from my community who would serve as a witness,” he said.
He alleged, “To the surprise of the police officers, Joseph Ottih and his wife went and hired one woman known as Mrs Elizabeth Onyemachi and one other man who impersonated members of my family and community.”
Ottih said when the alleged impersonation was exposed, “they ran away and later resorted to blackmailing the police and my elder brother Hillary who had long returned to his base after the Christmas break.”
He reiterated that the matter before the police was not witchcraft-related, stressing again that “the wife of Joseph Ottih, Obiageri was arrested by the police for attempted murder and not witchcraft practice as twisted.”
All efforts by SaharaReporters to obtain a response from Leo Igwe over the fresh allegations proved unsuccessful, as he neither answered repeated phone calls nor responded to multiple messages sent to him via WhatsApp.