89-year-old man burned for witchcraft

Police in Benue State have arrested the leader of a nine-man gang that tortured an 89-year-old man in Gwer East Local Government Area of Nigeria.

“The 89- year-old man was abducted by a nine-man gang for alleged witchcraft against a young man who had been sick in the area as pronounced by a witch doctor,” the police spokesperson said.

“The youth took him to sit by a fire so he would confess having a hand in the ill health of the young man,” the police spokesperson added.

The victim was abandoned and had sustained various degrees of burns in his waist and legs.

He was rescued by the police and taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Apir, where he is receiving treatment.

Investigation led to the arrest of their leader and efforts are being made to arrest other suspects at large.