Nigeria arrests 'exorcist bishop'

Nigeria has cracked down on the abuse of children branded as witches after a British investigation into the practice. A man calling himself "the bishop", who said he had killed more than 100 people possessed by the devil, has been arrested.

"The bishop" was secretly filmed performing exorcisms of children held captive at a camp in Ibaka in the Niger delta. Like many rogue pastors, he exploited superstitions about witchcraft to abuse children and extort money from their families. The children have since been freed.

After the investigation by Channel 4's 'Dispatches', the Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Chief Godswill Akpabio, said he would "destroy and demolish" every church engaged in such practices. The state would strengthen the law to protect children from those who trade on superstitions about black magic. "We must fight against the abuse of children and ensure proper education for them," he said.