Little skinny boy accused of witchcraft rescued in Nigeria
A scared, emaciated and naked Nigerian child was found and rescued by a Danish aid worker, eight months after he was abandoned to his fate by his family, who accused him of being a witch. During the past eight months, the worm-ridden boy, who is now called Hope, slept rough and scavenged on whatever he could find on every nook and cranny of streets in a town in the southern Nigerian state of Akwa Ibom.
“When we heard that the child was only two to three years old we did not hesitate. A child that young cannot survive a long time alone on the streets. We immediately prepared a rescue mission,” said Anja Ringgren Lovén, the founder of the African Children's Aid Education and Development Foundation.
After a few days of nutritional and medical treatment, Hope, who is now being cared for by Anja, attained a stable condition, but he needed blood transfusion and an urgent treatment for his worms.
According to Anja, thousands of Nigerian children are accused of practicing witchcraft and rejected by their families.
“I travelled alone to Nigeria where I met children who had been tortured and beaten almost to death because they were accused of being witches and therefore left alone on the street,” she said, adding that “education is the key in the fight against superstition.”
Nigeria has a growing economy but the proportion of Nigerians living in poverty is increasing every year. Poverty leads to the lack of education, which in turn fuels superstitions. The country also has a hard time fighting the Boko Haram terrorist group, which is wreaking havoc in its northern regions.
At least 13 killed in Nigeria protests against economic crisis
Police clash with Nigerians protesting against economic hardship
Nigeria school collapse kills at least 22 students, dozens injured
Israeli strikes kill 88 Palestinians in northern Gaza
American voters plainly rejected complicity in Gaza genocide: Iran FM spox
ICC should issue more arrest warrants for Israeli authorities over Gaza genocide: UN expert
Israel using AI weapons co-produced by India in Gaza genocide: Report
Israel issues new evacuation orders, shortly launches strikes on southern Lebanon
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
From Iraq to Gaza: The great disconnect between British people and rulers
Syria condemns Israel's killing of 36 in 'horrific' strike on Palmyra
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
