AfAW Debunks Witchcraft Claim Against 97-Year-Old in Delta

AfAW Debunks Witchcraft Allegation Against 97-Year-Old Delta Man, Condemns Abuse of Dementia Patient

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) has refuted widely circulated social media claims suggesting that a 97-year-old man in Delta State, Diokpa Okonkwo Oru, had transformed from a bird into a human being. The organisation clarified that the elderly man is battling dementia, a medical condition that has no connection to witchcraft or occult practices.

The viral incident originated from a video that surfaced online, showing Diokpa—said to be the oldest man in Ogbe-Ofu Quarters of Idumuje-Ugboko—allegedly landing on the rooftop of a house in Uzebu Iko around 1 a.m. The video, accompanied by sensational claims, alleged that the nonagenarian had turned from a bird into a human, prompting a flurry of superstitious reactions and renewed accusations of witchcraft.

Social media narratives further revived old allegations linking Diokpa to the occult, including a bizarre claim that a goat once purchased from his wife was found to contain a mirror, padlock, and chain inside its stomach—claims AfAW categorically described as baseless and absurd.

AfAW Director Leo Igwe strongly condemned the viral narrative and the public’s tendency to indulge in unfounded superstitions. “Imagine the mentality of the person who wrote and shared this nonsense on the internet in the 21st century,” Igwe said. “This post is not just an isolated expression of ignorance. It reflects a deep-rooted, pervasive mindset in Nigeria—and more broadly in Africa—that even many educated individuals and scholars hesitate to challenge critically.”

Initially, some reports inaccurately linked the event to Anambra State. However, after verifying the location, AfAW and local advocates confirmed that the incident occurred in Idumuje-Ugboko, Delta State. Following the confirmation, AfAW reached out to relevant local authorities, including the Police Area Commander in Asaba, the Divisional Police Officer in Issele-Uku, and the office of Senator Ned Nwoko, a native of the area.

The Divisional Police Officer responded swiftly, deploying officers to the community. Meanwhile, Senator Nwoko assigned a representative to ensure that Diokpa received medical attention and necessary support. Family sources later confirmed that the elderly man was taken to a community clinic for a health check-up and care.

In the aftermath of the incident, the Ogbe-Ofu Youth Development Association issued a strongly worded statement condemning the abuse and public humiliation of Diokpa. The statement, jointly signed by Ifeanyi Okonkwo (President) and Moemeke Joseph (Secretary), expressed deep sorrow and disappointment over the inhumane treatment meted out to their community elder.

“With deep sorrow and utmost disappointment, we, the youth of Ogbe-Ofu, condemn in the strongest terms the cruel and disgraceful assault on Diokpa Okonkwo Oru,” the group stated. “He is a 97-year-old elder, the oldest man in our village, and is currently suffering from dementia. It is painful and unacceptable that some youths from Ogbe-Obi would stoop so low as to flog, film, and publicly ridicule a helpless elder wandering due to an age-related illness. Such conduct is an abomination and does not reflect the values of Ogbe-Ofu.”

The youth association demanded the immediate identification and sanctioning of all individuals involved, disciplinary measures from the traditional council, and a public apology to both Diokpa’s family and the wider Ogbe-Ofu community.

In response, AfAW praised the youth body for their principled and peaceful stand. The organisation also urged the Delta State Government to take decisive action to bring the perpetrators to justice. Director Leo Igwe emphasised the urgent need for public education on dementia and other age-related illnesses, especially in communities where superstitions continue to thrive.

“People suffering from dementia are vulnerable and require care, not condemnation,” AfAW noted. “Their symptoms—such as memory loss, erratic behaviour, and confusion—are often wrongly interpreted as signs of occult activity.”

The group warned that these misconceptions often lead to the abuse, persecution, or even killing of elderly individuals wrongly accused of witchcraft. “In many communities, when people with dementia are seen loitering or acting strangely, they are accused of returning from a coven or having mystical powers. They are then attacked, tortured, or killed—sometimes after being forced to confess to fictitious crimes.”

AfAW concluded with a powerful reminder: “People with dementia are not witches. They do not turn into birds or fly at night as popularly believed. They are human beings facing a medical condition and deserve to be treated with love, dignity, and respect.”