Woman, husband poison 10-year-old step-son fatally over alleged witchcraft

By Ajuma Edwina Ameh

A woman, Rita Umoh, and her husband Akan Umoh, have been arrested by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for allegedly poisoning their 10-year-old son fatally over allegations of witchcraft.

Rita, who is the deceased step-mother, was reported to have conspired with her husband, the deceased father, to give a poisonous concoction to 10-year-old Savior Jimmy Umoh, after “prophecy” claimed he is the cause of their economic misfortunes, health challenges and poor academic performance of his half siblings.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the command, SP Odiko Macdon, said the couple was arrested by the detectives from Abak division, following a tip-off.

“On 29th August, 2021, at about 4:30pm, relying on information received from one Mfon Francis, of Ekpat Iduot village, that one Akan Jimmy Umoh and his wife Rita Jimmy Umoh of same address, conspired and poisoned to death her stepson, one Master Savior Jimmy Umoh, 10 years old, on the allegation of witchcraft.

“Detectives of Abak Division swiftly responded and arrested the duo of Akan and Rita Jimmy Umoh, who are father and step-mother of the deceased.

“On interrogation, suspects confessed to have administered poisonous concoction called ‘Evil Beans’ on the child to remove witchcraft, which they, according to prophecy, claimed was the cause of their economic misfortunes and health challenges including the poor academic performance of his half siblings.

“A search in the house revealed a boldly written inscription on the wall by the step-mother; ‘Saviour is the witch of this house’.

“Photographs were taken while the corpse was removed and deposited in the mortuary for autopsy,” he said.