Danish aid worker Anja Ringgren Lovén, known for rescuing children accused of witchcraft in Akwa Ibom, has alleged that she was held hostage and threatened with death during what she described as a violent mob attack on February 18.
In a statement posted on her Facebook page on Saturday, Lovén said she and members of her team were attacked while on a home visit to support the critically ill mother of one of the children under her care. She did not specify the exact location of the incident, saying only that it occurred in a “local community” while they were on their way to a prayer house.
According to her account, their vehicle was suddenly surrounded by more than 100 villagers.
“I was held hostage and threatened to be killed during a violent attack. I witnessed two of my staff members, my security guards and one of our children forcibly being dragged from our bus by a mob and almost beaten to death,” she said.
Lovén alleged that the attackers acted with “deliberate intent to kill.”
She said the matter has been formally reported and is currently under active investigation by the Nigeria Police Force, with prosecution anticipated. She declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing legal process.
In her statement, Lovén expressed gratitude to her husband, whom she described as the Paramount Ruler, as well as the Nigerian Police Force for what she called their swift intervention.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to my dear husband, the Paramount Ruler, and the Nigerian Police Force for their swift intervention, which saved our lives. I also wish to thank the Danish Embassy for its support during this extremely distressing time,” she said.
She added that she would not be making further comments while investigations continue.
Lovén gained international attention in 2016 after rescuing a severely malnourished toddler, later named Hope, who had been abandoned after being accused of witchcraft. Images of her feeding the child drew global attention to the stigmatisation of children in parts of southern Nigeria.
Through her foundation, she has since rescued and rehabilitated dozens of children who were abandoned or abused following similar accusations. Many of them have received medical treatment, education and long-term care under her organisation’s supervision.
