74 Year Old Woman Rescued From Mob- Action in Ibadan

 Silifatu Olawale , a 74year old woman who was found to be mentally challenged and accused of possession of witch-craft has been rescued from being lynched by the angry mob in Ibadan.

Silfatu was rescued by the Oyo state government recently and was handed over to her family members.

While handing her over to her relatives, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Kafilat Olayiwola who spoke through the Director of Administrative and Supplies, Barrister Olumuyiwa Olagoke advised members of the public to always refer such cases to the appropriate authorities for further investigation, as wrongful acts are not reversible.

The Commissioner who explained the woman's case said  “about two weeks ago, we received an urgent call about an unclad woman in front of the state secretariat main entrance gate who was wrongfully accused of being a witch craft thereby leading to serious beating, we swung into action immediately and rescue her from being lynched by the angry mob”.

“We took her to one of our centers for adequate care and protection and thank God that today, the State government has rehabilitated her and she now in her stable mind to return to her family hale and hearty, she said”.

Narrating her ordeal, the septuagenarian, who spoke with heart of gratitude to God for sparing her life and to Oyo state government for said she was once a petty trader at Agbeni market Ibadan and later moved to Bodija market doing menial jobs for survival before the incident occurred.

"I gave birth to seven children, I lost four to untimely death and the most painful one was when I lost my twins to the cold hands of death and later my husband died too. I was distressed and some people wanted to collect the only property my husband left for me which is an uncompleted building that I used as shelter.

Fighting back tears while narrating her ordeal, she said, “On the day that the state government rescued my soul, I went to Bodija market for my usual menial job, I usually carry loads for people, they accused me that am a witch, tore all my clothes and wished me death, but God in His infinite mercy rescued my soul, am grateful to Governor Seyi Makinde for show of love”.

Receiving her Mother, Mr Taiwo Olawale who was accompanied by her aunty, Mrs Nosiratu Buhari appreciated the efforts of the State government for the adequate care and protection given to her mother in due course.

He explained further that her mother has been battling with unstable state of mind since the year 1999 and the family has been getting medical attention not until recently the situation intensified to unpleasant state."

Speaking on the state of health of the survivor, the Medical Personnel of the partnering Non-Governmental Organization, Emmanuel Rehabilitation center for the Mentally ill, Oja'gbo, Ibadan, Dr Adeniyi Lawal identified Madam Olawale's illness as 'Senile Dementia'.