By Adesina Soyooye
This is the unbelievable life story of Asuquo Edet. A native of Ikon-Edikor, Udung Uko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Edet was one of those unfortunate kids life has dealt with in the hands of those that should have protected him the most – his family members.
He lost his biological mother, but still had his loving father who, however, got remarried to a devil of a woman.
At 13 years of age, Edet was branded a witch and cursed and treated differently by his step mother who showered love on her own children. He would have been thrown into the streets to roam and die, but his father who still loved him was an obstacle.
His stepmother hated him and heaped all kinds of allegations against him – a witch, who is responsible for his father’s prolonged illness and the family’s poverty.
Then, his father died, and the teenager was put through hell and thrown into it. As he sat at a corner of his father’s compound mourning his father’s death and the fate life has thrown at him, a group of young men, about 12, led by two of his step brothers, descended on him with machetes, clubs, cables, rods. They put him through a horrifying experience, all the while, asking him why he killed his father.
When they macheted him on the head, and smashed his head, they carried him into the bush, and dumped him there, believing he was dead.
But God and destiny were on his side.
A Danish Aid worker, Anja Rinngerin Loven and her husband, David, who run an organization, ‘Land Of Hope’ rescued him from the bush when they were alerted. They took Asuquo to hospital and took care of all his need. They took care and literally, adopted him as their son.
Out of hospital, they put him back in school where he always passed on top of his class. 13 years later, the “witch” has just graduated from the Akwa Ibom State University. Edet is now a graduate of Genetics and Biotechnology to the shame of his cruel family and the shame of all those who tried to kill him.
His unbelievable story, from an abandoned child to a university graduate was, on Sunday, April 12, 2026, Anja Ringgren Loven, the Danish Aid Worker who, along with her husband, David, rescued him in 2014, shared his story and achievement in a tribute on Facebook.
“They beat him with machetes, cables, rods, and sticks, demanding to know why he had ‘killed’ 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,” Loven wrote in the tribute.
Following is the full text of Loven’s post on Asuquo Edet:
“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.
“He had been accused of being a witch by his step mother.
“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 the 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 own children, stormed in and attacked him.
“They beat him with machetes, cables, rods and sticks, demanding to know why he had ‘killed’ his father.
“Then, they decided to kill him.
“A matchet 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 first children we rescued.
“And you will also know this:
“Year after year, Asuquo has taken the first place in class throughout secondary school and high school.
“He graduated with one of the highest scores. Even his principal did not want him to 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.
“From being left for dead 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.
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