80-Year-Old Beaten to Death Over Witchcraft Claims in Benue

Ikye, an 80-year-old man, was attacked and beaten to death around 7 PM last Sunday in Tse-Ikye, Gbemacha Council Ward, Mbavior, Mbasar, after the death of Aker Aleva, a man in his 30s. Aleva had complained of a headache after watching football and later collapsed, dying at a hospital in Ikpayongo.

Following his death, Ikye, a relative of Aleva, was accused by community members of causing Aleva's death through witchcraft. A confidential source, identified as Aleva's son, reported witnessing a group confronting Ikye, who denied any involvement.

Despite disagreements among the group about how to handle Ikye, some members began to beat him, leading to his death. The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) has petitioned the Benue State Commissioner of Police, urging an investigation into the incident and the identities of those involved, including the youth president of the community.

After Ikye's death, his body was taken to a mortuary, and the community allegedly did not discuss the incident in subsequent meetings.