A woman has been apprehended by residents of Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State after she allegedly threw her five-year-old child into a river following instructions reportedly given by a self-acclaimed seer in Benin City.
The incident, which surfaced in viral videos circulating on social media on Tuesday, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns about the influence of self-styled spiritualists on vulnerable individuals.
The videos, shared by X user ChuksEricE, showed the woman being questioned by community members after she was accused of abandoning her child based on claims that the youngster was not human.
According to information accompanying the footage, the woman allegedly acted after consulting a seer who reportedly told her that her five-year-old child was a python in human form and was responsible for her inability to conceive another child.
Speaking in one of the videos, the woman reportedly said she had been unable to have more children since giving birth to the child five years ago. She also claimed that the child had been unable to walk since birth, a condition that led her to seek spiritual help.
According to her account, the self-acclaimed seer informed her that the child was the source of her problems and advised her to get rid of the youngster.
“The seer told me that the child was a python and that if I did not get rid of the child, I would either continue giving birth to children with the same condition or never conceive again,” she reportedly said.
Acting on the alleged advice, the woman was said to have thrown the child into a river.
The incident has generated intense reactions across social media, with many Nigerians condemning the alleged act and expressing concern over the dangers posed by unverified spiritual claims.
Reacting online, one X user identified as Oma22k wrote, “Someone told you to throw your own child and you accepted. I have said this before, some people don’t deserve to be mothers.”
Another user, getKennethed22, expressed sympathy for the woman while blaming the alleged seer for misleading her.
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“I pity the lady though, she’s tired of the child and at the same time needs another. I blame the seer for deceiving her,” the user wrote.
Also reacting, erickson_egbon described the incident as disturbing.
“This is unbelievable. A mother who is supposed to be full of affection and love for a child is the one throwing him or her into a river. Who has bewitched her or what could have turned her to cold stone like this?” the user queried.
As public outrage continued to mount, questions remained over the fate of the child.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not independently confirmed the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the condition or whereabouts of the child.
The Edo State Police Command had also not issued an official statement on the matter.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command reportedly stated that she was not aware of the incident and was unable to provide immediate comments.
The development has once again highlighted concerns about harmful beliefs, child protection and the influence of individuals who claim spiritual powers without accountability.
Investigations are expected to continue as authorities seek to establish the facts surrounding the incident and determine whether any criminal offences were committed.