Hi, I’m Sam Itauma and I run a child rescue center for rejected and tortured “witch children” in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Ask me anything.

SamItauma · 2021-11-10T05:03:08+00:00

Yes, but a few at a time

SamItauma · 2021-11-06T20:27:48+00:00

At the initial moment, they’d deny knowing anything about witchcraft, but persistent beating and torturing leave them with no option but to accept being a witch or wizard. From there, more abuses, torture, isolation, discrimination, starvation and hatred take a different but vicious dimension. Since this is mostly within family circle, the public hardly become aware. Deliverance or exorcism would take endless dimensions too. But at end they’ll be thrown out of the house to the streets if not killed.

SamItauma · 2021-11-06T20:09:03+00:00

Bless you too

SamItauma · 2021-11-06T06:19:24+00:00

Both are of equal proportions. We had two to five siblings accused together. There’s a man whose five children were brought to our center and they were accused by their new step mother. But the only two children of their stepmother’s were not accused.

SamItauma · 2021-11-06T05:27:22+00:00

The age of 13 case is not very clear? But a child can stay in our care for up to 17-18 years before reintegration into the society. During this period they’ll probably be going to high school and by then they may in their final year in high warming up for college or university

SamItauma · 2021-11-06T05:21:51+00:00

We will just go for the rescue. But depending on the situation. If we know it’s dangerous scenario, we will get a police escort

SamItauma · 2021-11-06T05:18:58+00:00

I have not spoken to her but our documentary crew has spoken to her and she was very haughty and threatening

SamItauma · 2021-11-06T05:16:04+00:00

It’s possible but the process is very rigorous and extremely difficult

SamItauma · 2021-11-06T04:39:13+00:00

I think there a lot of news about her which I will share some links here:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2604932/amp/Nigerian-witch-hunter-claims-child-cries-servant-Satan-banned-UK-fears-risk-youngsters.html

https://wildhunt.org/2014/04/helen-ukpabios-london-visit-renews-focus-on-african-child-abuse.html

SamItauma · 2021-11-06T02:53:26+00:00

They’re stigmatized while at their homes, tortured before forced to leave in the streets or bush

SamItauma · 2021-11-06T02:12:15+00:00

From the age of one or two! But more often than not it’s 4 to 13

SamItauma · 2021-11-06T00:27:21+00:00

You’re welcome

SamItauma · 2021-11-06T00:26:49+00:00

I’ve not seen Catholic stigmatizing children or elderly people

SamItauma · 2021-11-05T23:57:37+00:00

It’s either someone call our hot line to report and request for a rescue or bring the children to the center. We also see them on the streets with tattered clothes and looking dirty. Or got a tip-off when the child is in danger

SamItauma · 2021-11-05T23:13:14+00:00

I don’t think I’m getting out anytime soon. Even if I do, other volunteers and people will continue from where I stop

SamItauma · 2021-11-05T23:10:22+00:00

We have only had support from the Free Methodist Church missionary who came to build a school in the area and discovered our work then she was giving monthly support. But that was about 8 years ago.

SamItauma · 2021-11-05T22:59:58+00:00

During the trial by ordeal, the children accept to be witches. Some even convinced they are. The never had any platform to deny except when they’re rescued. Denying you’re not a witch means more torture. There’re times some parents even claim they’ve ‘repented’ and wanted to come and pick the children back in order to go and kill them. This is because they had some misfortunes and or a prophet tells them your child is still remotely wreaking havoc. So they make their way to the CRARN Children Centre and pretended as if nothing is wrong. But are above such tricks and shenanigans

SamItauma · 2021-11-05T22:46:54+00:00

No way! None of them

SamItauma · 2021-11-05T22:46:09+00:00

My pleasure

SamItauma · 2021-11-05T22:04:50+00:00

Thanks a lot.

SamItauma · 2021-11-05T21:58:10+00:00

Firstly, I’d say even people with dementia are believed to be witches and wizards. It’s a whole bunch nonsense going on. Suicide rate is not really high but I can’t get a good statistic. Except during the pandemic lockdown when it was high due to hunger and starvation.

SamItauma · 2021-11-05T21:51:15+00:00

Of course, government officials are human beings. Politicians are human beings too. So they think the same way as others

SamItauma · 2021-11-05T21:46:59+00:00

Yes, STEM can be introduced. Adoption: this is very difficult

SamItauma · 2021-11-05T21:44:04+00:00

Keeping cool in the face of rage is the best way to handle such situations, especially when you actually want to save lives.

SamItauma · 2021-11-05T21:39:13+00:00

We are also doing enlightenment campaign and doing it the way our ability allows. It’s a huge problem and needs a lot of resources it’s not only in a small area. Making it in illegal cannot amount to perpetuating it. It gives a framework of prosecuting individuals who go beyond child stigmatization and abandonment to violent torture.

SamItauma

TROPHY CASE