Police arrest 2 youths for allegedly burying 2 men alive over witchcraft
The police have arrested two suspects from a mob of angry youths of Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State who allegedly buried two persons alive over witchcraft.
The deceased were accused by the youths of being behind the thunder strike that killed one Henry Ihwakaa, his wife, and a two-week-old child.
Ihwakaa, who is said to be the father of Henry, was accused by the youths of bewitching people with thunder storm in the area any time it rains.
Sources say that on that fateful day, the youths mobilised and attacked Ihwakaa and his alleged accomplices. They later grabbed them, dug a shallow grave and buried them alive.
Engr Baba Agan, an eyewitness and community leader, said following the development, the matter was reported to the police in Konshisha local government where the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), mobilised his men to the scene of the incident.
According to Agan, an elderly man was accused of masterminding the deaths of the three people, a development which led to the mob burying him alive.
Agan explained that thunder storm was a common phenomenal in that vicinity and could have been responsible for the deaths of the husband, wife and their two-month-old baby.
He said it was unfortunate that before the police arrived at the scene to rescue the victim from the grave, he had died and it was his corpse that was finally exhumed.
“I’m not happy. People shouldn’t take the law into their own hands. If this matter is not properly handled, it can generate further crisis in the family and community.
“As an elder, I will join the leadership of the community to ensure this issue is settled amicably,” Agan said.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident, adding that two suspects had been arrested.
“An elderly man was buried alive because it was being alleged that a young man, his wife and two months old child died from lightning.
It was alleged that it was the man doing witchcraft that brought the lightning. They went and buried him alive and he died. Police are investigating; we have arrested two people already,” Anene said.
