Pastor Arrested for Assaulting 90-Year-Old Over Witchcraft Claims

Pastor arrested for allegedly assaulting a 90-year-old woman and a Chief Imam due to witchcraft accusations. Learn more about the incident and its fallout.

A pastor and another individual have been arrested by the Edo State Police Command for reportedly mistreating and attacking Adishetu Atairu, a 90-year-old woman, as well as Musa Shaibu – Chief Imam of Ofukpo-Ekperi community. Along with six additional individuals in Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state.

On Thursday, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor affirmed that in Benin City arrests had been made. He declared that “The police have acknowledged and verified the occurrence. Currently, both a pastor and another individual are detained by law enforcement while being charged before a court.”

The purported act of dehumanization was recorded in a video that has gained immense popularity on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. The recording, filmed during the night-time hours, features a group headed by an individual named Pastor Sharp-Sharp. Within one segment of the clip, viewers can witness a young man viciously attacking Adishetu Atairu and Musa Shaibu along with other individuals present at the scene.

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In the video, an elderly woman who depends on a walking stick is forcefully brought to sit in the center of a group. While attempting to obey this command, she gets kicked by another man and falls down. Meanwhile, there is also footage showing the Chief Imam seated directly on bare ground while someone takes off his cap for him nearby.

Abu Buhari, a resident of the community, disclosed that Adishetu Atairu was his stepmother and that the occurrence transpired on July 5th in 2024. He promptly informed the police about it who then demanded for an appeal resulting in the arrest of Pastor by Agenebode Police Area Command Office on July 17th.

Buhari urged the police and other appropriate government bodies to intervene in order to avert any possible communal or religious unrest, as well as guarantee just treatment for those affected. He emphasized that his stepmother and other victims of the assault continue to suffer from their injuries.

Sirajudeen Muhammad, the EMEGG coordinator, expressed gratitude to the police and other security personnel for their prompt action in addressing the issue. He assured Muslims in and outside of Edo State that justice will prevail while commending them on taking swift actions by charging a pastor alongside two others who have been arraigned at court with August 7, 2024 as hearing date set aside for this case.

The case continues to keep the community nervous as it looks forward to more progress.