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 advice reportedly given by a self-acclaimed seer in Benin City.
The incident, which came to public attention through videos circulating on social media on Tuesday, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed concerns about the influence of self-proclaimed spiritualists on vulnerable families.
The videos, shared online by an X user identified as ChuksEricE, showed community members confronting the woman over the alleged act. The disturbing development quickly generated reactions from Nigerians across social media platforms, with many expressing anger and disbelief.
According to information accompanying the viral videos, the woman allegedly abandoned the child after being convinced by a seer that the five-year-old was not an ordinary human being but a python in human form.
The child was also said to have been living with a disability that affected the ability to walk since birth.
In one of the videos, the woman reportedly explained the circumstances that led to her actions. She claimed that after giving birth to the child five years ago, she had been unable to conceive another baby despite repeated efforts.
According to her account, the situation caused her concern and pushed her to seek spiritual help in the hope of finding an explanation for her difficulties.
She said she visited a self-acclaimed seer in Benin City who allegedly told her that the child was responsible for her inability to have more children.
“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 in the video.
Believing the claims, the woman allegedly took the child to a river and threw the five-year-old into the water.
Details surrounding the child’s fate remained unclear as of Tuesday. However, the incident immediately attracted the attention of community members who reportedly apprehended the woman after learning about what had happened.
Residents were seen in the videos questioning her actions and expressing shock over the alleged killing of a child based on spiritual claims.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers of harmful beliefs and misinformation surrounding disability in some communities.
Across parts of Nigeria, children living with disabilities are sometimes subjected to discrimination, neglect and abuse due to cultural myths, superstition and false spiritual interpretations of medical conditions.
Human rights groups have repeatedly warned that such beliefs often place vulnerable children at risk of abandonment, violence and even death.
Over the years, child protection advocates have campaigned against the branding of children as witches, possessed spirits or supernatural beings, noting that such accusations are usually based on ignorance and misinformation.
Several states have enacted laws aimed at protecting children from abuse and harmful traditional practices. The Child Rights Act and related state laws prohibit all forms of violence, neglect and exploitation against children.
Experts have also stressed the need for greater public education on disabilities, arguing that many conditions affecting children are medical issues that require healthcare and support rather than spiritual explanations.
The Edo incident has triggered strong reactions from Nigerians online, with many calling for a thorough investigation and prosecution of anyone found responsible.
Some commentators blamed the growing influence of self-proclaimed spiritual leaders who make unverified claims about illnesses, disabilities and family challenges.
Others urged authorities to take stronger action against individuals who exploit desperate people through false prophecies and misleading spiritual advice.
Child welfare advocates have also called for increased support for parents raising children with disabilities. According to them, many families struggle with emotional, financial and social pressures, making them vulnerable to manipulation by people who claim to have supernatural solutions to complex problems.
The case has further renewed conversations about mental health, poverty and access to medical care, especially in rural communities where some residents continue to rely on spiritual explanations for health-related conditions.
Many Nigerians who reacted to the incident described it as a tragedy that underscores the urgent need for awareness campaigns against harmful practices linked to superstition.
They also stressed the importance of protecting children regardless of their physical condition or disability.
As public outrage continues to grow, attention is now expected to focus on law enforcement authorities to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and establish whether other individuals played a role in influencing the woman’s actions.
Community leaders and child rights advocates have urged residents to report cases of child abuse and neglect to the appropriate authorities, warning that children must never be subjected to violence because of disability, illness or unverified spiritual claims.
The incident serves as another reminder of the challenges still facing child protection efforts in Nigeria and the need for continued education, enforcement of child rights laws and support for families caring for vulnerable children.
Many Nigerians hope the case will lead to justice for the child and strengthen efforts to prevent similar tragedies in the future.