Police in Imo State, Nigeria, have arrested a woman named Obiageri Ottih and her son Uchenna over their involvement in traditional religious practices, drawing sharp condemnation from Amnesty International Nigeria.
The incident stems from complaints by Christian relatives who accused the family of using religious objects that were “spiritually disturbing” the peace in their community.
According to reports, this represents a troubling case of alleged religious persecution, where police from the Tiger Base anti-kidnapping unit raided the home of blind traditionalist Joseph Ottih, Obiageri’s husband, in December and seized a deity statue.
The sequence of events began with the police raid, followed by Obiageri’s initial arrest on January 3, 2026. She was detained and later granted bail on January 7 after intervention by Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AFAW), but only after paying N150,000 amid claims of extortion.
However, she was rearrested on February 19 when reporting for bail conditions, and her son Uchenna was subsequently lured to the station under the pretense of signing her bail bond, leading to his detention as well.
Amnesty International has labeled this a “clear case of religious persecution and corruption,” highlighting the lack of any legal charges filed against the family despite their prolonged detention.
The organization argues that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion under Section 38, allowing individuals like the Ottih family to practice traditional rites without harassment from police or community members.
Instead, the Tiger Base unit has been accused of serial extortion, refusing to prosecute while repeatedly summoning and demanding payments from the family.
This incident underscores broader tensions surrounding traditional African religions in Nigeria, particularly in southeastern states like Imo, where Christianity dominates.
Traditional practitioners often face stigma, with objects like shrines or deities viewed suspiciously as fetish or harmful by dominant religious groups.
Relatives’ petitions in this case exemplify how familial and communal pressures can escalate into state-backed interventions, blurring lines between cultural disputes and criminal matters.
Human rights advocates, including AFAW coordinator Leo Igwe, have called on Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to intervene and rein in the Tiger Base police.
Igwe detailed the extortion pattern, noting the family’s repeated invitations to the station without court proceedings, which violates due process rights under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Such actions not only intimidate traditional worshippers but also erode public trust in law enforcement, portraying police as tools for private vendettas rather than impartial arbiters.
The case reflects systemic challenges in protecting minority religious practices amid Nigeria’s pluralistic yet polarized religious landscape.
While the 1999 Constitution (as amended) prohibits discrimination based on religion, enforcement remains weak, especially against indigenous faiths overshadowed by Islam and Christianity.
Similar incidents, such as arson attacks on traditional worshippers’ homes in Kwara State earlier in 2026, indicate a pattern where police responses vary—arresting attackers in some cases but enabling persecution in others.
Ultimately, the Ottih family’s ordeal highlights the urgent need for sensitization on religious freedom and police accountability in Nigeria.
Amnesty’s public statement on X amplifies calls for their immediate release without further extortion, urging judicial oversight to prevent prolonged pretrial detention.
As investigative journalism continues to expose these abuses, pressure mounts on authorities to uphold constitutional protections, ensuring traditional religions are not criminalized in a modern democratic context.