FIDA Seeks Rights Protection against Witchcraft Allegations

Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has charged community leaders to protect the rights of persons involved in alleged witchcraft accusations in Bauchi communities to avert the prevalence of jungle justice and preserve family ties.

The chairperson of FIDA Bauchi, Barr. Hauwa Abubakar, said this at an engagement organised in collaboration with the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AFAW), with councillors and traditional rulers in Tafawa Balewa local government.

She said the practice continues to endanger the lives of innocent people.

“Today’s engagement focuses on enlightening community members about the dangers of stigmatisation and harmful traditional beliefs.

“We brought together traditional leaders, women, youth, and other stakeholders to discuss how to end these practices and promote peace and mutual respect,” she said.

Abubakar explained that the campaign seeks to protect vulnerable individuals, especially women, and prevent abuses linked to witchcraft accusations across communities in Bauchi State.
“There is nothing like witchcraft in our laws, neither in the constitution nor in the state’s statutes.

“But because people are unaware of their rights, they resort to jungle justice. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse; anyone who harms or kills another person over witchcraft claims will be prosecuted,” she explained.

The programme manager of AFAW, Mr. Dooyum Ingye, condemned the persistent persecution of women and children over witchcraft allegations, describing it as a “deep-rooted human rights violation” in Nigeria.

He said the sensitisation campaign was organised to raise awareness about the dangers of witchcraft-related stigma and to promote respect for human rights within communities.

One of the victims, Mrs Hannatu Yakubu, shared her painful experience, recalling how her mother was taken away by some youths in 2020 after being accused of witchcraft.

“In 2020, we heard a loud noise in our area, and some youths took my mother away. Since then, life has not been the same, but I am grateful that help eventually came,” she said.

Another community member, Mr Haruna Musa Gital, a community leader, narrated how a young man suffered emotional distress after his wife was falsely accused of witchcraft by his own brother.