Danish Aid Worker Shares Transformation Photos of Akwa Ibom Girl Accused of Witchcraft!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

Danish humanitarian worker and founder of Land of Hope, Anja Ringgren Loven, has shared emotional before-and-after photos of a young girl from Akwa Ibom State who was once accused of witchcraft, tortured, and abandoned by her family.

What We Know:

• The girl was rescued in 2021 by Loven’s NGO, Land of Hope, which specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating children branded as witches in parts of Southern Nigeria.
• She was found malnourished, injured, and severely traumatized after being left to die in the streets.
• In a post on her verified Facebook page, Loven celebrated the girl’s physical and emotional transformation after years of care, education, and therapy.
• The post has since gone viral, drawing praise from both Nigerian and international observers.

Quote:

“This is what love, protection and education can do. From being labelled a witch and abandoned—to now thriving and smiling with hope,”
— Anja Ringgren Loven, Founder, Land of Hope

Why It Matters:

Accusations of witchcraft against children remain a disturbing cultural practice in some Nigerian communities, often leading to abuse, neglect, or death.

• Human rights groups have called for stronger enforcement of the Child Rights Act and sanctions against perpetrators of such stigmatization.
• Stories like this highlight the impact of humanitarian intervention and the importance of sensitization against harmful traditional beliefs.

What to Watch:

• Renewed advocacy efforts in Akwa Ibom and other states with high cases of child witchcraft accusations.
• Government collaboration with NGOs like Land of Hope to strengthen child protection networks.
• The role of traditional and religious leaders in dispelling harmful myths.

Sources:

1. BBC Africa – “Accused of Witchcraft: Nigerian Children and the Struggle for Survival”
2. CNN – “Meet the Woman Rescuing Nigeria’s ‘Witch Children’”
3. Anja Ringgren Loven Official Facebook Post – October 2025
4. The Guardian Nigeria – “Child Abuse: NGO Rescues Girl Accused of Witchcraft in Akwa Ibom”

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