Couple Arrested In Anambra State For Starving Their 5-Year-Old Daughter After Pastor Branded Her A Witch

The Anambra State Government says it has apprehended a couple, who starved their five-year-old daughter over allegations of witchcraft.

Mrs Ify Obinabo, state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, told journalists that she confirmed the arrest on Thursday.

On their parts, the suspects, Mr. Michael Wosu, 47, from Rivers State and Mrs. Blessing Michael, 23, from Akwa-Ibom State, both resident of Adazi-Ani, said they were not responsible for the girl's starvation because they were only obeying their pastor’s prophecy, which said that their five-year-old daughter was a witch and hence does not deserve to live.

“It is our pastor who gave us a prophecy that she is a witch and does not deserve to live. We were told that she is responsible for her father’s downfall in business.”

Blessing further stated that she made her daughter sleep on a plank due to her constant pooing and peeing on her body.

The couple were arrested at Adazi-Ani, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state.

Obinabo said that she intervened in the case following reports from the Transition Committee Chairman of Anaocha LGA, Mr Gerald Ozoh and the state coordinator of Ladies of Good Governance, Mrs Chinwe Uba.

She noted that her primary assignment was to protect the rights of every child in the state and assured that she would not let the accused go free.

“The girl is receiving treatments at the hospital while her parents would be handed over to the police for further investigation,” she added.