15/09/2025
Man Allegedly Transforms Into a Snake in Ikwoto Prison
Residents of Ikwoto County in Eastern Equatoria State have been left in shock following reports that a man allegedly transformed into a snake while being held in detention.
The bizarre incident, first reported by Voice of Hope and later confirmed in an interview with Radio Emmanuel 89FM, has sparked widespread debate and calls for further investigation.
According to local authorities, the suspect, a 30-year-old man whose name has not been disclosed, was arrested earlier in the week after reportedly attacking a medical doctor in the area.
Following his arrest, he was placed in police custody at the Ikwoto prison facility. While detained, officers provided him with food, but the man is said to have refused the meal, insisting that his own food was “outside” the prison.
It was at this point, eyewitnesses claimed, that the situation took a strange and unexpected turn. Tito Abas, the Executive Director of Ikwoto County, told Radio Emmanuel during a telephone interview that moments after rejecting the food, the suspect allegedly transformed into a snake. Witnesses described how the reptile slithered onto the roof of the prison building before making its way into a nearby tree.
Startled by the incident, local youth who had gathered around the facility began pursuing the snake. According to Mr. Abas, in the course of the chase, the suspect reportedly transformed back into a human being. The unusual occurrence quickly spread through Ikwoto town, attracting widespread attention and speculation.
The alleged transformation has stirred intense debate among residents, with many expressing both fear and disbelief. Some community members are calling on security officials to release an official statement clarifying the incident.
Others argue that spiritual leaders should be consulted, noting that such unusual reports may point to witchcraft, spiritual powers, or cultural beliefs surrounding shape-shifting.
At the same time, local authorities have urged calm, emphasizing the need to verify the details of the account before drawing conclusions.
As of now, no independent confirmation has been provided by security officers or the prison authorities. The case has, however, reignited broader discussions around the intersection of traditional beliefs and modern law enforcement in South Sudan.
Observers note that such reports, though shocking, are not entirely new. Communities across Eastern Equatoria and elsewhere in the country sometimes attribute extraordinary or unexplained behavior to supernatural forces.
Stories of witchcraft, shape-shifting, or spiritual possession have long been part of local traditions, though they remain controversial and are often dismissed by officials.
For now, the Ikwoto case remains unresolved. Authorities are continuing to investigate the matter, though many residents remain skeptical.
Others insist that the incident underscores the need for stronger collaboration between government institutions and traditional leaders in addressing events that fall outside ordinary explanations.
As residents await an official statement from the security agencies, the story continues to dominate local conversations, leaving many to wonder whether the man’s alleged transformation was a matter of fact, myth, or misunderstanding.
