The Biu Police Area Command in Borno State has arrested three suspects in connection with the brutal murder of a 50-year-old woman accused of witchcraft practices.
Confirming the incident during a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, the Commissioner of Police, Borno Command, Mr. Yusuf Lawan, revealed that the victim, identified as Hajara Saleh, was killed on February 21 in the Bantine community, located in Biu Local Government Area of the state.
Lawan disclosed that the suspects, identified as Ja’o Muhammad, Idrisa Muhammad, and Ya’u Muhammad, are aged between 20 and 30 years. He assured that the investigation is ongoing and that justice will be served.
The commissioner said the suspects allegedly conspired to kill the victim, accusing her of practising witchcraft and bringing misfortune to the community.
Lawan said the woman sustained injuries on her neck, legs, and hands, resulting in her death.
He said that the police were alerted of the alleged crime by residents of Dadinkowa Gunda ward who reported the incident at about 11:00 a.m.
“Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered that the victim had already been buried according to Islamic rites by her husband, Saleh Bole, and other family members,” the commissioner said.
Lawan explained that despite the burial, police investigators managed to photograph the victim’s remains and gather critical evidence.
He added that two suspects were arrested immediately, while one was still at large, assuring that the police had launched a manhunt to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
The commissioner described the attack as barbaric and unjustified, warning that accusations of witchcraft should not be used as an excuse for violence or extrajudicial killings.
“The police are fully committed to bringing all those responsible for this heinous crime to justice. The public must understand that the law does not permit people to take matters into their own hands,” he said.
According to him, the suspects are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and other related offences, noting that they would be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
Lawan therefore, urged community members to report suspicions of witchcraft or other grievances to the police rather than resorting to jungle justice. (NAN)
