Juliana Francis
The Edo State Police Command on the 5th of August 2023, was alerted to a viral video, where an aged woman, later identified as Mrs Angelina Asekhamhe, 71, was attacked, beaten, dehumanised and termed a witch by some youths of the community where she resides.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed A. Dankwara swiftly directed the Area Commander in charge of the Agenebode Area command, where the incident occurred to look into the issue with the aim of bringing the perpetrators of such barbaric act to book.
The Area Commander on closer scrutiny, realised that the incident has already been reported at his office on the 3rd of August via a petition by the victim’s nephew, Pastor Anthony Omozuapo, who stated that the incident occurred on the 31st of July at about 9:am, when one Fidelis Asekhamhe of Ifashe Quarters of Ivioghe village in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo state went to the victim’s house, accused her of attempting to kill him in his dream.
Asekhamhe also accused her of killing her son Henry, hence he termed her a witch to which the victim denied all the allegations.
Dissatisfied with her response, he mobilised community youths who beat her up. She was beaten to a comatose state, and her property burnt by the same community youths
The woman later was rescued and taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment by Police Operatives, and she is responding to treatment.
One person has been arrested in connection with the crime, and the Police have intensified efforts to arrest others involved in this inhumane act, especially the principal suspect Asekhamhe.
The CP frowns at such an act and condemns it outrightly, he advised that citizens should stop taking laws into their hands, but rather channel their complaints to the Police who have the statutory powers to address such issues.
He further enjoined the people of Edo State to continue to avail the command of useful information as no information will be treated with levity but with the utmost confidentiality.
He vowed that necessary actions will be meted against the perpetrators of this crime, adding that they would be charged will be arrested and charged in court.
