Some youths have killed an elderly man whose identity was given simply as Ihwakaa over allegation of witchcraft in Ikyve community, Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State.
Those who witnessed the scenario said the incident occurred during the weekend in the community — a rural area which shares border with Cross River State.
It was gathered that lightning struck and took the lives of the older man’s son, Henry, his wife and their small child.
The source disclosed that some youths in the community accused the elderly man of killing his immediate family members.
They accused him of always invoking witchcraft on residents of the area.
“So, they accosted him and buried him in a shallow grave alive,” the resident said.
Another source that resides in the community, Engr. Baba Agan confirmed that thunder killed three persons in the community.
He further said he gathered that an elderly man was accused of being behind the incident.
He said the development caused the angry mob to decide to bury him alive.
He said the victim was already dead before the arrival of the police as they were only able to exhume his dead body from the ground.
“I’m not happy. People shouldn’t take the law into their own hands. If this matter is not properly handled, it can generate further crisis in the family and community. As an elder, I will join other leadership of the community to ensure this issue is settled amicably,” Agan said.
The tragedy was confirmed by the spokesperson of the state police Command, SP Catherine Anene announcing the arrest of two suspects.
“An elderly man was buried alive because it was being alleged that a young man, his wife and two months old child died from lightning. It was alleged that it was the man doing witchcraft that brought the lightning. They went and buried him alive and he died. Police are investigating; we have arrested two people already,” Anene said.