From Muhammad Ahmadu saka,Bauchi
The Bauchi State Police Command has explained that 51-year-old man, Monday Chiroma, and 30-year-old woman, Hafse Ubale, have been killed after being accused of witchcraft separately while another suspect was arrested over the fatal stabbing of a 25-year-old man in Unguwan Kur, all in Bauchi State.
The Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, SP Nafi’u Habib said this when he interacted with newsmen in Bauchi.
He said Monday Chiroma died after he was attacked allegedly linked to accusations of witchcraft in Dandango village ,
He said the deceased, Chiroma and another resident, identified as Yelwa Bango, were allegedly attacked by a group of men who accused them of bewitching a 20-year-old woman, Jamila Anthony.
He said after the attack, the victims were rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, after which Chiroma later died while receiving treatment.
“Monday Chiroma was certified dead, while Yelwa Bango was admitted and treated,”
Habib said “The command identified and arrested three suspects among them Danjuma Anthony, 25; Ayuba Anthony, 22, also known as Babaru; and Christopher Adamu, 34, and the suspects allegedly confessed to the offence during interrogation, while efforts were under way to arrest other suspects who remain at large.
The Police spokesman said also that a 30-year-old woman, Hafse Ubale, has been killed after being accused of witchcraft in Garin Malam village, Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
He said the incident occurred when a suspect, Garba Daudu, allegedly led two others armed with sticks and machetes to the home of the deceased.
The attackers reportedly accused her husband, Audu Sabo, of harbouring a wife they claimed was a witch.
During the attack, the assailants allegedly assaulted Audu Sabo, hacked Hafsa Ubale with a machete and injured three other members of the family.
Habib said a 45-year-old resident of Garin Malam reported the attack to the Gamawa Divisional Police Headquarters.
” Preliminary investigation showed that Garba Daudu, 35, allegedly conspired with two others identified as Ya’u Garba and Musa, whose other names are yet to be established, to unlawfully enter Audu Sabo’s residence”.
“The suspects attacked Audu Sabo after accusing his wife, Hafse Ubale, 30, of being a witch,” Habib said.
He said that the suspects also assaulted Sale Audu, 12, and Yakubu Audu, 14, with sticks, while Hafse Ubale was attacked with a machete.
All the victims sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Habib said police operatives, supported by hunters and vigilantes, immediately responded to the report and evacuated the victims to the General Hospital in Gamawa for treatment.
“Sadly, Hafsa Ubale was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. After the necessary documentation, her body was released to her family for burial.
“One of the injured victims is still receiving treatment, while the other two have been treated and discharged,” he said.
The police spokesman said one suspect had been arrested, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the two others who fled after the attack.
He said that the preliminary investigation had been concluded and the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bauchi for further investigation and prosecution
In a separate incident, police Spokesman Habib said Al-Amin Hamisu Gidado, 21, was arrested over the stabbing of Zahradeen Dan’Azumi Tanko, 25, in Unguwan Kur to .death
He alleged that Gidado, alongside another suspect identified as Yahaya Mu’azu, who is currently at large, stabbed the victim in the back.
Zahraddeen was taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, where doctors confirmed him dead on arrival.
The police said both cases had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the incidents, urging residents to avoid violence and jungle justice and to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
The Commissioner of Police, condemned the killing and warned against jungle justice and violence driven by superstition.
He assured residents that the command would ensure all those involved were arrested and prosecuted, and urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and provide useful information that could lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects.
