Boy thrown into river by aunt over witchcraft(Photo)

A10-year-old boy, Usen Okon, who was thrown into the Imo River in the Ikot Abasi area of Akwa Ibom State, over witchcraft accusation, has survived the ordeal.

The Senior Project Manager of the Humanist Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement, Mr.Ayobami Ojedokun, told Punch  in Uyo on Tuesday that Okon was under the care of his paternal aunt, identified simply as Ekaeyen, at Etebi community in the Esit Eket Local Government Area of the state as his parents had died.

He said a few days ago, Okon was aroused from sleep by Ekaeyen who took him to her husband and asked him to confess to being a wizard.

He added that when Okon denied the witchcraft accusation, his aunt threatened to throw him into a river.

Ojedokun said Ekaeyen, true to her words, on November 16, took Okon to the Imo River and threw him into the water with the hope that he would drown.

“She actually threw Okon into Imo River thinking that the boy would drown. The boy came out of the water alive and went to their home, only to be told that her auntie had relocated,” Ojedokun said.

The acting Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Mr. Iboro Victor, said he was not aware of the incident.

“The incident is not to my knowledge right now,” he said.