The biological mother of 7-year-old Joshua Zikeme who was tortured to death at Akaba, Bayelsa, by his father and stepmother (read here), has spoken out about the death of her son.
29-year-old Erueke John revealed to Vanguard that her son was tortured after a mushroom church in Yenagoa alleged that he was a wizard.
This led to him being tied to a stake and chunks of his flesh were sliced off in an attempt to exorcise him, thereby leading to his death.
“They killed my son in cold blood. I was told the suspects used sharp objects to slice all parts of his body in an attempt to exorcise him.
“I left the father’s house while I was pregnant with the boy, because he was beating me and was also into illegal sales of hard drugs.
“If he had come alone to seek the child’s custody, I would have objected because he is too violent. But the step-mother pleaded and I agreed. Many people, including the aunty in school, warned me but I allowed them take the child. And they have killed him for me.”
“We are shocked at the death of the boy. That a child showed signs of stubbornness does not make him a wizard and be killed in cold blood. We know him and we even missed him during the last exams.” Mrs. Isaac said.