The Niger State Police Command has arrested three suspects over the alleged killing of a 65-year-old woman, Tani Nuhu, following accusations of witchcraft in a community in the state.
The suspects were identified as Mohammed Sani of Kebbi State, Isa Lamaran, 65, of Kokolo village in Auna District, and Abdullahi Hamidu, also of the same community.
The police said the victim was allegedly killed by Sani, who was reportedly contracted to identify and eliminate elderly women accused of witchcraft.
The command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said the arrests followed a report that Sani trespassed into a resident’s home and killed Nuhu.
“During interrogation, Mohammed revealed that he was contracted and invited as a wizard who could detect witches by Isa Lamaran, Hamidu and one other suspect, Rufa’i Gado of Kokolo village currently at large, to kill three elderly women in the community over allegations that they were witches,” Abiodun said.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that Sani allegedly confessed to receiving a hoe from Lamaran to carry out the attack.
According to Abiodun, Hamidu allegedly promised Sani two plots of land and his daughter’s hand in marriage if he successfully carried out the killings.
Sani allegedly killed Nuhu and inflicted grievous injuries on another victim before his arrest, the police said.
Abiodun added that the suspects were being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna as investigations continued.
He said the police were working to apprehend Gado, who remains at large, adding that the suspects would be charged to court for criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt after the investigation.
