A tragic and horrifying incident unfolded in the Oke-Ijeun area of Abeokuta, Ogun State, as an elderly woman, Kehinde Ojo, fell victim to mob brutality following accusations of witchcraft. The gruesome event, which has sparked widespread outrage, was reportedly triggered by a bizarre claim that she had transformed from a bird into a human.
Sahara Reporters, through its official X handle, revealed that Ojo, frail and unable to defend herself, was subjected to inhumane treatment by the mob. Disturbing videos circulating on social media depict the elderly woman lying helplessly in a pit, visibly injured and unable to speak, as she endured the mob’s cruel interrogation.
The accusations stemmed from claims made by a prophetess of a local white garment church, who alleged that Ojo fell onto her church roof after transforming from a bird while she was praying. The prophetess, whose name remains unknown, raised the alarm, rallying the community against the elderly woman. In the video, the prophetess and other community members are seen interrogating Ojo, demanding a confession.
Personnel from the Ogun State Police Command eventually intervened, rescuing the victim from the mob’s clutches. She was rushed to the hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
In an emotional recount, Kabir Kehinde, one of Ojo’s children, expressed anguish over the unjust treatment that led to his mother’s death. He alleged that the prophetess and her son were directly involved in the assault, which spanned hours from Monday evening into Tuesday morning.
“My mother was not a witch; she was wrongly accused and beaten to death by the prophetess. She had only lost her way while visiting my brother, who lives behind the church,” Kehinde explained.
He disclosed that his mother had impaired vision and likely became disoriented while searching for his brother’s house. Despite her frailty and repeated pleas of innocence, the mob inflicted severe injuries, accusing her of practicing witchcraft.
“The prophetess and others beat her mercilessly from Monday evening till Tuesday morning. They tortured her, demanding a confession to something she was not guilty of,” Kehinde added.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights groups and concerned citizens, who have called for thorough investigations and justice for the deceased. Many have expressed outrage over the mob’s reliance on superstition and their willingness to act as judge, jury, and executioner.
Community leaders and activists have called on the Ogun State Government to take decisive action to prevent such occurrences in the future, emphasizing the urgent need for public enlightenment on human rights and the dangers of mob justice.
The Ogun State Police Command has reportedly launched an investigation into the incident. While no official statement has been released regarding arrests, pressure continues to mount for the prophetess and all involved parties to be held accountable.
This tragic event serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of unchecked superstition and mob violence, highlighting the critical need for education and stronger legal enforcement to protect vulnerable individuals from such heinous acts.
The lynching of Kehinde Ojo is not an isolated case in Nigeria, where mob justice continues to claim innocent lives. As public outcry grows, one question remains: How many more lives must be lost before society collectively rejects the evils of superstition and mob violence?
PIONEER NEWS 