Jigawa State Police Command has apprehended two brothers over the alleged murder of a female neighbour, whom they accused of practicing witchcraft.
The PUNCH reported that the tragic event unfolded in the Kashin Dila Fulani community, located within Malam-Madori Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
This incident has left the local community shaken and mourning.
The police reports revealed that the two brothers, driven by suspicion and a belief in witchcraft, conspired to attack their neighbor, Hauwa Yusai.
Using sticks and knives, they inflicted severe injuries on her, ultimately leading to her death.
It was gathered that the brothers had been harbouring suspicions about Yusai, who lived next door to the elder sibling, accusing her of witchcraft practices.
Spokesperson for the State Police Command, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, confirmed the tragic incident during a phone interview with a reporter.
Lawan disclosed that the suspects are now in police custody and are set to be prosecuted soon.
He noted that the tragic killing stemmed from superstition and misinformation, which led to the neighbours taking matters into their own hands in a brutal and unlawful manner.
Narrating the events, DSP Lawan stated, “on October 16, 2024, at 1:30 a.m., the Malam-Madori Division received a distress call regarding an assault on Hauwa Yusai, 55, of Kashin Dila Fulani settlement. The victim was allegedly attacked by two brothers – Husaini Ali, 45, and Ya’u Ali, 20, who accused her of witchcraft.”
He explained that, in the early hours of that morning, the two brothers launched a violent attack on Yusai, beating her with sticks and stabbing her with a knife.
Police officers responded swiftly to the distress call, rushing Yusai to Hadejia General Hospital, where she was sadly pronounced dead by medical staff upon arrival.
The suspects were immediately apprehended and taken into custody. They were subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse for a thorough investigation.
During their detention, DSP Lawan revealed that the two brothers voluntarily confessed to the crime, affirming the motive behind their attack.
The PPRO assured the public that the suspects would face the full force of the law, emphasizing the police command’s commitment to pursuing justice and accountability in this deeply unsettling case.
In a strong message to the public, Lawan called for vigilance and cooperation in reporting suspicious activities while cautioning against taking justice into one’s hands.
He stressed that citizens should trust law enforcement to handle criminal allegations instead of resorting to vigilantism.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing concerns surrounding superstition and witchcraft-related violence in Jigawa State, with police authorities reiterating the need for greater awareness and education on these issues.
The Jigawa State Police Command has pledged to prevent similar incidents in the future, aiming to build a safer and more informed community.
