Nigerian woman bags university degree 11 years after being accused of witchcraft and nearly killed

A Nigerian woman, Miriam, has graduated from Akwa Ibom State University, 11 years after she was accused of witchcraft in her village and narrowly escaped being killed.

Her graduation marks the end of a long recovery and education journey that began after she was rescued in 2015 by Danish aid worker Anja Ringgren Lovén and child protection officer Nsidibe Orok.

According to Lovén, the rescue followed a tip-off that Miriam was in immediate danger after villagers accused her of witchcraft. The team located her hiding in bushland and persuaded her to come with them to safety.

She was taken to a care facility operated by the organisation Land of Hope. Lovén said the situation escalated during the rescue, with some villagers attempting to chase their vehicle and issue threats as they left the area.

In her account, Lovén noted that Miriam later shared disturbing experiences from her community, including witnessing the killings of two children who had also been accused of witchcraft—one burned and another strangled. The events left her severely traumatised, and she did not speak for an extended period after her rescue.

With time, she received care and support, eventually returning to education.

This week, Miriam completed her studies and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and International Relations at Akwa Ibom State University.

Her graduation has been widely acknowledged by those who followed her story since her rescue, marking a significant personal milestone more than a decade after her ordeal.