A viral video showing a visibly malnourished child surrounded by onlookers with Danish humanitarian Anja Ringgren Lovén strongly condemning those who filmed the child instead of offering help.
The disturbing footage, which has spread widely on social media, was shared alongside claims that the child was a witch who had “disguised as a bird” before allegedly falling from a tree. However, Lovén dismissed the claim, insisting that the child is simply a vulnerable human being in urgent need of care.
The reaction has once again drawn attention to the harmful practice of branding children as witches in parts of Nigeria. Moreover, it has renewed calls for stronger protection of vulnerable children and greater public awareness against superstition-driven abuse.
Lovén, who has spent years rescuing abandoned and abused children in Akwa Ibom State, did not hide her disappointment.
She has become internationally known for caring for children who were falsely accused of witchcraft and abandoned by their families.
Reacting to the latest video, she described the actions of those present as deeply troubling.
“I have saved this video as evidence for everyone standing around not helping an innocent child in desperate need for help!!!! Each and every one of you are guilty!!! I will make sure your faces are shared around the world !!! This is NOT a witch !! This is an innocent CHILD !!! A HUMAN BEING!!!!”
Her emotional response quickly gained attention online, with many people expressing support for her position.
The caption alleged that the child was “the child witch with an adult face, who disguised as a bird, fell from a tree.”
However, no official evidence has been presented to support those claims.
Instead, the child’s physical condition shown in the video suggests severe neglect and possible malnutrition.
Furthermore, child rights advocates have repeatedly warned that accusations of witchcraft often place children at greater risk of abuse, abandonment, and violence.
Lovén has consistently argued that no child should suffer because of unfounded beliefs.
