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Abstract
The paper examined the Phenomenon of Nyinya Mbatugh (Night Horse) among the Tiv of Central Nigeria. The paper was motivated by a study tour embareked upon by Staff of African Religion and the third year students of the Department of Religion and Cultural Studies of the Benue State University, Makurdi to Katsina Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. The researcher was fascinated about the the phenomenon, the intrigues and activities surrounding Phenomenon of Nyinya Mbatugh (Night Horse) among the Tiv of Central Nigeria and decided to further study the phenomenon. The study is a qualitative research and adopts the descripotive and phenomenological methods. The paper employed the primary and secondary methods in the data collection procedure. In the primary source, oral interviews and personal observation were used. In the secondary source, information was obtained from text books and journal articles. The paper established that the witches among the Tiv have different avenues and or devices of carrying out tsav (witchcraft) practices. One of these devices is the use of Nyinya Mbatugh (Night Horse) in which a human being is transformed into a nocturnal horse and ridden by the witches. It also established that this act which is a core aspect of the practice of tsav among the Tiv destroys a victim and often leads to his/her death as several complications develop as a result of being ridden. The paper calls for a stop to this act perpetrated by witches against mba lun vanger gbirin (non-witches) as the treatment is inhumane. The paper calls on Tiv witches to transfer their nocturnal technologies into reality for use by the generality of the people. The paper finally notes that a society cannot develop in an atmosphere of fear and unwanton destruction of the lives of members who lack spiritual powers for their protection.