Thursday, August 26, 2010

Children abused, killed as witches in Nigeria



Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria -- Some pastors in Southeast Nigeria claim illness and poverty are caused by witches who bring terrible misfortune to those around them.

In the second part of the investigation by Christian Purefoy he looks at some of accused children who have found a sanctuary and one of the pastors who carries out the deliverance ceremonies.

Those denounced as witches must be cleansed through deliverance or cast out, say the pastors -- many of whom charge between $300 and $2,000 for their services.

In many cases the accused witches are children who can be beaten or even killed if they are not just thrown out of the family home, say community workers.

But there are others pastors who believe education is a more powerful tool against the fear if witchcraft.