Killing of Autism Children: Agatu women in Benue, Nassarawa calls on FG, Int’l NGO to come to their aid

A group of concerned mothers from Agatu community in Benue and Nassarawa state has called on the Federal Government, International Communities and Benue State government to come to their aid by stopping the age long tradition of killing children with autism.

Investigations by Daily Dispatch Newspaper revealed that these women have lost their children this barbaric acts.

Our investigation further revealed that any child born with autism will be buried alive.

Some of the women who spoke with our correspondent under condition of anonymity said; “We have lost our children to this age long tradition. Any child born with autism will be bury alive. The children are called “oyiegwa”, meaning snake child”.

Speaking further, “any woman that born oyiegwa, (snake child) some titled women (elderly) will carry the child to the bush, give the child mark and bury such baby alive. Giving them mark is to forestall them being reincarnate”, the woman explained.

When asked why they have not reported the case to the police or state government or even village chiefs, they said affected women are not allowed to speak out, “we have been dyeing silently over the years. This tradition have existed over the years. I grew up to learn about it”, the woman said.

“We are using this opportunity to call on the government of the baba Tinubu and our new governors to stop this act. We want international community, NGO to help us. The children are not our making its God that gave us”, she lamented.

Efforts to get the affected village heads proved abortive as our correspondent was denied entry. Also those women who usually carry out the killing refused to speak, as our reporter was threatened with charm!