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Angry Witches Ask IGP To Stop Scheduled Church Event
A planned event in Mbieri, Imo State, titled “That-Witch-Must-Die,” organised by a church, the Mercy and Power Deliverance Ministry has been condemned by the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW).
According to a statement released on Monday by its Director, Dr. Leo Igwe, the advocacy group urged the state government and security agencies to intervene and prevent the programme from taking place on August 30, 2024, warning that the event would likely instigate and provoke witch hunts in the state, citing similar incidents in the state and other states that had resulted in devastating consequences.
AfAW noted that billboards advertising the programme had already been erected in various parts of the state, including the capital city of Owerri.
The event, scheduled to take place at the Mercy and Power Deliverance Ministry from 9 pm to dawn on August 30, 2024, will be hosted by Apostle Dr. Angel (Owomowomo Fire).
The advocacy group emphasised the need for prompt action to prevent harm and ensure the safety of alleged witches in the state.
“The event, titled, ‘That Witch Must Die’, will hold at Mercy and Power Deliverance Ministry on Friday, August 30, 2024, from 9 pm to dawn. The church is located along Marcon Estate Opp Monkey Village Umuodu, Mbieri, Imo state. One Apostle Dr Angel (Owomowomo Fire) will be the host,” Igwe revealed.
Highlighting the dangers in allowing such event to hold, the Rights Organisation said, “we are worried about this programme because it will lead to instigation and provocation of witch hunts in the state.
Some people may argue that this programme is an exercise of freedom of religion or belief and any attempt to stop the programme violates human rights.
“Incidentally, this is not the case. It is important to distinguish exercise of religious or belief freedom from incitement of violence, attack and murder in the…..name of religion or belief. Exercise of religious or belief freedom must be defended……while incitement of violence, hatred and murder as in this case must be condemned,” the statement noted.
The organisation explained that witchcraft accusation is a form of death sentence, adding that alleged witches have been “attacked, tortured, or killed”. The advocacy reminded that “witchcraft accusation is an offense under the law in Nigeria. Those convicted of accusation or imputation of…..witchcraft are legally liable to imprisonment.”
It added, “So, this programme is an exercise in crime. It incites hatred and violence against suspected witches. This event instigates and sanctifies accusations, persecutions, and murder of alleged witches.
“The Advocacy for Alleged Witches has intervened in cases of witchcraft accusations and witch hunting in the state, including cases in Orlu, Oguta, Obowo, Mbano, etc. Some of the victims were attacked during or after witch hunting rallies like this. At a recent,,,,event in Owerri, some attendees recounted horrific stories of witchcraft accusations and witch persecutions in the state.
“Unfortunately, other victims did not live to tell their stories. AfAW implores state authorities not to turn a blind eye to this ‘That-Witch-Must-Die’ programme in Mbieri. They should not allow evil pastors to turn the state into a witch-killing field.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to the territorial waters of the Islamic Republic.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,” the Guards said in a statement.
“The two offending ships… were seized by the IRGC’s naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.”
They identified one ship as “MSC-FRANCESCA”, which they said belonged “to the Zionist regime” in reference to Israel, and the other as “EPAMINONDAS”, which they said was “tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security.”
The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic republic in the strait “as well as activities contrary to the safe passage” through the waterway.
Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, through a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.
Source: AFP
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has advised the Nigerian government to rethink its stance on refusing to negotiate with terrorists, saying dialogue may be key to ending the country’s long-running violence.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Kaduna-based cleric argued that Nigeria is being influenced by a “Western slogan” that does not always reflect reality.
He stressed that talks, rather than force alone, could help break the cycle of attacks affecting many parts of the country.
Gumi also warned that weak border control is worsening insecurity, allowing weapons and criminal elements to move freely.
According to him, this has made it more difficult to defeat terrorism and protect citizens.
He pointed to ongoing tensions involving the United States and Iran, saying even powerful nations engage in negotiations despite public positions against it. He urged Nigeria to draw lessons from such situations.
He said: “We should not be misled by the Western slogan, ‘We don’t negotiate with terrorists.’”
Gumi added that violence often leads to more suffering for civilians, as both terrorist attacks and military operations tend to harm innocent people.
He further explained: “As long as Nigeria’s borders remain porous, the cycle of violence will persist.”
The cleric emphasised that understanding the root causes of terrorism is crucial to finding lasting solutions, warning that force alone cannot resolve the crisis.
In his words: “The lesson is clear: lasting solutions require realism, dialogue, and strategic understanding, not just force.”
Gumi suggested that Nigeria may need a neutral mediator to help open dialogue and reduce tensions, similar to efforts seen in other conflict zones.
Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has nominated and forwarded Murtala Garo to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as the new deputy governor of the State.
This is contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mustapha Muhammad, late Tuesday night.
According to the statement: “The nomination is in line with Section 191(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the Governor to nominate a Deputy Governor where a vacancy exists.”
Recall that the position of the deputy governor became vacant after the resignation of Abdussalam Gwarzo on March 27, 2026.
“Following wide consultations with key stakeholders, the Governor has requested the Assembly to grant the necessary approval for Garo’s nomination,” the statement added.
Iran Seizes Two Ships attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz
Gumi wants Nigerian government to consider dialogue in tackling terrorism
Kano Gov nominates Garo as deputy
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