Residents of Ibucha-Sironga village in Bogichora Ward say he was allegedly taken hostage by individuals widely believed in the community to be practitioners of witchcraft, locally referred to as abarogi. One resident said the news spread quickly through the village, catching many families off guard in the early hours. "He then told me that Charles's son had been taken hostage by witches. "Who are these thugs masquerading as witches and taking Charles's son hostage throughout the night?" The same resident later appealed to the community to pray collectively against the act, framing it in spiritual terms.