Witchcraft Accusation: Son Allegedly Sets Mother Ablaze, As Cross River Case Raises Fresh Questions

Witchcraft accusation don once again turn deadly in Cross River State, after a middle-aged man allegedly attacked im mother with fuel and set her ablaze following claims that she was responsible for the death of im child. The woman, identified by family sources as Mrs Atim Akposi, also known as Atim Eyo, later died from the injuries she suffered. The suspect, identified in the original report as Emmanuel Akposi, has reportedly been declared wanted.

Witchcraft Accusation: Son Allegedly Burns Mother After Blaming Her for Child’s Death

According to the material made available to OGM News Pidgin, the incident happened on Friday, August 14, in Ojo community, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State. Family sources said Emmanuel had allegedly accused his mother for years of being a witch and blamed her for the death of his child. After the alleged attack, Atim was first taken to a community health centre, before she was transferred to Akamkpa General Hospital and eventually the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where she reportedly died in the early hours of Monday. (Leadership)

Reports published after the incident contain some differences in the suspect’s name and the precise description of the location. Some reports identify him as Emmanuel Akposi, while another local report identifies him as Emmanuel Etim. What appears consistent across the reports is the central allegation: a son allegedly attacked his mother after accusing her of causing his daughter’s death through witchcraft. Those differences are important because, for any criminal case, identity and evidence are not matters wey headline should settle by itself. Police investigation and proper judicial process remain the place to establish what actually happened.

Witchcraft Accusation Turns Deadly as Cross River Son Allegedly Sets Mother Ablaze

The case no dey happen inside empty space. Cross River and neighbouring Akwa Ibom have for years faced serious concerns over accusations of witchcraft, especially against vulnerable people. Reuters reported in 2025 that thousands of children in southern Nigeria had been accused of witchcraft over the previous two decades, with such accusations sometimes leading to abuse, abandonment and violence. The report also noted that advocacy organisations have been working to rescue and rehabilitate people affected by such accusations.

Human-rights advocates have also reacted to the Akposi case. The Advocacy for Alleged Witches condemned the reported killing and described it as another example of how witchcraft allegations can produce deadly consequences. The organisation said it received information about the attack on August 17, while the victim was receiving treatment at UCTH.

The serious lesson here be say accusation no be evidence. Person fit believe strongly in spiritual matters, but once belief becomes justification to physically attack, burn, torture or kill another human being, the matter don move from private belief enter criminal territory. And make we no pretend say fuel and fire get supernatural detective powers—dem cannot establish whether anybody caused another person’s death.

For communities, the bigger challenge na how to respond when somebody dies suddenly and emotions begin to demand somebody to blame. Instead of turning grief into accusation and accusation into violence, authorities, community leaders, religious figures and families need encourage proper medical, psychological, social and legal investigation. If there is evidence of a crime, law enforcement should handle am; if there is a medical explanation, professionals should investigate am; but nobody should become judge, jury and executioner simply because suspicion don enter the room.

As investigation continues and authorities work to locate the suspect, the death of Atim Akposi should not disappear inside another cycle of social-media outrage. The reported witchcraft accusation deserves scrutiny not because accusation itself proves anything, but because the alleged violence shows how dangerous unverified claims can become when fear, grief and superstition join hands. OGM News Pidgin go continue to monitor developments, especially any official confirmation from law-enforcement authorities and further information about the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.