Four men arrested for killing Bauchi farmer over witchcraft claims

The Bauchi State Police have arrested four men for killing a 45-year-old farmer named Garba Abdullahi. They accused him of causing the sickness of one Sawaida Dahiru.

The police spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, shared this information in a statement on Wednesday.

Habib named the suspects as Shitu Dahiru, 25; Magaji Dahiru, 42; Sabi’u Auwalu, 20; and Abbah Abdulzahar, 19.

He explained that the men attacked Abdullahi while he was coming back from his farm in Dunari Village, Atahowa District, Bauchi State.

Abdullahi’s younger brother, who is 35 years old, reported the incident at the Gadau Divisional Police Headquarters around 12:35pm on Tuesday.

The attack happened at about 11:40am. The suspects accused Abdullahi of being responsible for Dahiru’s illness.

Habib said the men stabbed and macheted Abdullahi in different areas, leaving him unconscious.

“The suspects, identified as Shitu Dahiru, 25 years old; Magaji Dahiru, 42 years old; Sabi’u Auwalu, 20 years old; and Abbah Abdulzahar, 19 years old, all males and from the same area, allegedly stabbed and macheted the victim on various parts of his body, leaving him unconscious,” he said.

After receiving the report, police officers quickly went to the scene. They took Abdullahi to the General Hospital, Azare, for treatment.

Unfortunately, a doctor later confirmed that he had died. The police then released his body to his family for burial.

The PPRO stated that all four suspects have been arrested. The case has been sent to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation and prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police for Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, reacted to the incident. He condemned the killing and warned people against taking the law into their own hands.

Aliyu’s statement highlighted “the rising cases of jungle justice and self-help based on superstitious beliefs.”

He cautioned that “no one has the right to take the life of another for any reason.”

The police command assured residents of their commitment to protecting lives and property. They urged the public to provide timely and reliable information to the police.