A young Nigerian boy named Samuel, who was rescued 12 years ago by Danish aid worker Anja Ringgren Loven after being accused of being a witch and nearly killed, has successfully gained admission into the university. Loven, who rescued Samuel in Akwa Ibom, expressed immense pride, noting that his academic achievement fulfills her initial wish for him to survive and get an education.
Samuel, a young Nigerian boy who was rescued 12 years ago after being accused of being a witch and nearly killed, has achieved a major milestone by gaining admission into the university.
The news was announced by Danish aid worker Anja Ringgren Loven, who rescued Samuel in Akwa Ibom State. Loven, the founder of the charity organization Land of Hope, shared the update in a Facebook post on Friday, November 28, 2025.
Loven recalled the initial moments after the rescue, detailing the stigma Samuel faced:
“I rescued Samuel 12 years ago. He was accused of being a witch and almost k1lled.”
She highlighted the symbolic gesture she made to dismantle the harmful belief surrounding him:
“After his rescue I sat down with him to eat food. Children accused of being witches are believed to be possessed by evil spirits so nobody wants to share food with them. To share food with Samuel was my way to make him know that I did not believe he was a witch.”
Loven celebrated Samuel’s success, emphasizing that his achievement fulfilled her long-held wish for him to survive and get an education:
“And now after 12 years under my care I watch with much pride Samuel celebrating his matriculation today! He did it !! Congratulations Samuel! 12 years ago we shared a meal together and my only wish back then was for you to survive and get an education.”
