A young Nigerian man, Asuquo Edet, has graduated from Akwa Ibom State University 13 years after he was accused of using witchcraft to k!ll his father, brutally attacked and left for d3ad in the bush.
Danish aid worker, Anja Ringgren Love and her husband rescued him after the attack.
The incident occurred in Ikon-Edikor in Udung Uko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State in 2014
Asuquo’s father who had been ill for several months received him with open arms before he died a few days later.
Asuquo’s father had abandoned him for more than three years on the streets because a soothsayer brought by his stepmother told him that he was a wizard; and responsible for his illness, the poverty and misfortune in the family.
Hoodlums led by his step brothers attacked him with machetes, wire, horsewhip, rods and spine-sticks.
Taking to Facebook on Sunday, April 11, 2026, Ms Loven shared Asuquo’s story and his achievement after the traumatic experience.
“I came to Nigeria for the first time 13 years ago. One of the very first children my husband David and I rescued was Asuquo,” she wrote.
“He had been accused of being a witch by his stepmother. At the time Asuquo was a young teenager and the brightest student in his class.
“Life was good. He had a close and loving bond with his father, worked hard, and was known in his village for his kindness, humility, and willingness to help others.
“But when his mother died and his father remarried, everything changed. His stepmother never accepted him. She blamed him for the family’s hardships, and when his father fell ill, she accused him of being a witch.
“Not long after, his father passed away. Asuquo was heartbroken. He was sitting in his father’s house, mourning his loss, when a group of about a dozen men led by two of his stepmother’s own children stormed in and attacked him.
“They beat him with machetes, cables, rods, and sticks, demanding to know why he had “k!lled” his father. Then they decided to kill him.
“A machete was smashed into his head. He collapsed. Believing he was dead, they carried his body and threw him into the bushes.
But Asuquo did not die. He survived. David and I found him and rescued him. We reported the case to the police and rushed him to the hospital.
“And there is one moment I will never forget. On that very hot day, as he lay there with a deep machete wound in his head, bleeding heavily, Asuquo was not thinking about himself.
“He was worried about me. He kept asking if I had enough water to drink. That is who Asuquo is.
“We contacted the media, and his story was published in several newspapers. We wanted the world to know. We wanted justice for him.
“If you have followed my work, you already know Asuquo. He is one of the very first children we rescued. And you will also know this: Year after year, Asuquo has taken first place in his class throughout secondary school and high school.
“He graduated with one of the highest scores. Even his principal did not want to let him go. Everywhere he goes, he brings calm, kindness, and hope.
He has always been and will always be an inspiration to our children and our staff. And now… after 13 years in our care…
“Words cannot describe how proud I felt when Asuquo sent me his certificate. Asuquo has earned his Bachelor of Science in Genetics & Biotechnology.
“From being left for d3ad in the bushes…
to becoming a university graduate. Let that sink in.
“To anyone who claims that children are witches, shame on you. To any pastor who spreads these beliefs shame on you! To anyone who labels children, the elderly, or people with disabilities or mental health challenges as witches, shame on you.
“Congratulations, Asuquo. You are an inspiration to the world. The future is yours and I know you will help lead the way for a new generation.
“Thank you to everyone who supports Land of Hope. Everything our children achieve… is because of you too. I did not give birth to Asuquo. But he is and will always be my son.”
