by S’ola Filani

Two homeless children, Namanso Edet-Bassey, 8, and Kufre Effiong, 9 – have suffered burns in controversial circumstances in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

They were both burnt in the fire set in an uncompleted building after being branded as ‘witches”.

They were rescued by a nun from a Catholic Convent located in the outskirts of Uyo with the convent making a formal report to the police.

The Police say it’s the outcome of an allegation of child witchcraft while the children describe themselves as street kids who had nowhere to go but took shelter in an uncompleted building in the outskirts of Uyo.

Confirming the news to Channels Television, Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom State, Etim Dickson, said that indeed a report was made that some children were branded as witches.

“The name the children mentioned; we had to go to the village. The village head was looked for, brought to the station and he denied that he did not know the suspect. We are still looking forward to seeing those who treated those children in that manner,” he said.