Man accuses blind brother of witchcraft practice in Imo, employs thugs to demolish his house, other valuables
*Causes the visually-impaired brother's wife to be detained for five days at "notorious" 'Tiger Base', Owerri *I only consulted a native doctor to save my injured son - blind man
A United States based-man, Mr. Hilary Otti, has allegedly destroyed his elder brother’s building over allegation that his brother, a visually-impaired man practices witchcraft.
The incident, according to the victim, Joseph Otti, occurred on December 27, 2025, at Ndionyeaguru Village in Awa Autonomous Community, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
The visually-impaired Otti narrated how his properties and farm crops were destroyed by the thugs allegedly hired by his younger brother, lamenting that the “dastardly act” has left his family homeless.
He alleged that his eight children were beaten, while his wife was detained at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, popularly known as Tiger Base, Owerri, for five days.
Mr. Otti explained that the crisis began when his wife sought assistance from family members, including his younger brother, to save their son who sustained a severe injury during a football match.
When all efforts to get medical or financial assistance failed, Otti explained that out of fear of losing his son, he sought help from a native doctor, who carried out a traditional healing process known in Igbo as Agwu and gave him a charm which he kept at his backyard.
He further narrated that following this “cleansing process”, his son began to recover and was really on his way to full recovery when his younger brother returned home for Christmas and allegedly hired thugs on December 27 to destroy his house and other properties as well as farm crops.
“As if that was not enough, on December 28, Hilary invited police officers from the Tiger Base in Owerri. They beat me and my children and took my wife away,” he alleged.
Mr. Otti further claimed that he paid ₦150,000 to secure his wife’s release after she spent five days in police custody.
He said his family is currently being harboured by a friend in Owerri, while the traditional ruler of his community, Eze Ihezie Felix Ononuju is yet to wade into the matter despite several reports to him.
The victim appealed to the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, and the Imo State government to intervene, expressing concern over his inability to rebuild his home and fear for his life and that of his family should they return to the village.
Reacting to the incident, the Director of Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW), Dr. Leo Igwe, said the organisation was outraged by what he described as the mishandling of the case by the police.
Dr. Igwe stated that the police intervention resulted in the double victimisation of the accused persons.
He called on the Commissioner of Police, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and other relevant agencies to investigate the matter, ensure justice for the victims, and hold officers found culpable accountable.
“We cannot successfully address allegations of witchcraft in this country when police officers work with such complaints to doubly victimize those they are supposed to protect,” he said.
