In Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, evangelical preachers encourage people to believe children are witches, and abuse, abandonment and even murder follows From the
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Pastor Joseph Ita runs the Liberty Gospel church in Eket, and believes children, including babies, become witches by being passed poisoned food
A woman’s unborn baby is delivered during a midnight service in Akwa Ibom
Twin boys Itohowo and Kufre stand surrounded by angry villagers who believe they are bringing evil to their lives
Imabong Etim Otoyo, the mother who abandoned her 5 year old twin boys
Twelve-year-old William was abandoned after being labelled a witch
Twelve-year-old William was abandoned after being labelled a witch
Siblings Samuel, 11, Esther, 14, and Sarah, 10, were all abandoned by their parents to a life on the streets after a ‘prophetess’ - female preacher - said they were witches
Twin brothers Utomobong and Mbotidem are 11. They were blamed for their parents' separation, beaten and thrown out of their home
Sisters Victoria, four, and Helen, seven. They were left alone in an old shack and survived by eating leaves and grass
Nails were driven in around the top of Etido’s head - he is about nine and rarely speaks
Ekemini Abia is 13. Her father tied her to a tree by her ankles and left her there. She was found, half-starved, over a week later
Angry villagers set upon Udo, 12, with a machete, accusing him of being a witch. His arm was nearly severed
Gerry is eight. His father spat petrol over him and set him alight - he blamed Gerry’s sorcery for the loss of his job
A large nail was driven into this girl’s head. Nwaeka is about 16, and now badly brain damaged
Twelve-year-old Mary had acid thrown in her face after being accused of being a witch
Mary Sudnad is 10. She was seven when her mother poured scalding water and caustic soda over her in a bid to cleanse her of witchcraft
Eleven-year-old Mbet was abandoned by her mother when she was six after being accused of being a witch
Some of the 133 children who have sought refuge at the Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network, run by Sam Ikpe-Itauma and helped by the charity Stepping Stones
Chief Joe Inuaesiet, the tribal chief of Uquo and Eket. He is a rare wise voice against those who are preaching witchcraft
Children at CRARN
The Prevent Abandonment of Children Today Campaign launched by Stepping Stones Nigeria and the Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN)
Advocacy and Campaigning | Stepping Stones Nigeria 