Adamawa Police Take Action Over Mob Killing of Woman Over Alleged Witchcraft

• Three men in Adamawa have been arrested for allegedly killing 60-year-old Dudu Umaru after accusing her of witchcraft
• The suspects, including the victim’s younger brother, confessed to beating her with sticks and burning her house during the attack
• Police confirmed they remain in custody and will face charges in court after investigations are concluded

The Adamawa State Police Command says it has arrested three men suspected of killing a 60-year-old woman, accused of witchcraft, in Digino community, Fufore Local Government Area.

Police identified the victim as Dudu Umaru. She was reportedly beaten and left unconscious before her house was set ablaze.

Her husband, Mr Umaru Galadima, reported the incident to a nearby station, after which the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Jibriln, referred the case to the state command for further investigation.

Police detail progress on investigation

Police spokesperson SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje told journalists:

“Three men were alleged for the act and they have confessed that they are guilty of the incident that was reported. They claimed to only beat her with sticks without any intention of killing her and burnt her house. The eldest amongst them is the deceased’s younger brother, together with his son and his nephew. They claimed the woman was a witch who wanted to kill his daughter, that is why they went to her house and beat her up, leading to her death.”

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Suspects confess to crime

One of the suspects, 50-year-old farmer Bello Usmanu, explained:

“Dudu is my uncle's daughter. She held my daughter (Aisha) with witchcraft for a few weeks. I did a traditional medication which I gave to my daughter to take, and after she took it, she started calling Dudu's name and was saying Dudu wants to kill her.

Upon hearing that coming out from my daughter's mouth, I became furious, so I went to her house together with my son and my nephew. We beat her up with a stick and left her laying unconsciously on the ground. I later heard she was confirmed dead after we were arrested.”

When asked why he believed his cousin was behind his daughter’s illness, Bello added:

“I did traditional incantations on a medication which I gave to my daughter and she started calling Dudu's name. I didn't take her to any hospital.”

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He also admitted regret:

“Since the day I was arrested, I have not heard from my family again, so I don't have any idea about my daughter's health. I was afraid of losing my daughter, that was why I took that drastic decision, but I sincerely regret my actions now, knowing that Dudu is my cousin.”

The second suspect, 20-year-old bike rider Naziru Bello, said:

“It was after our evening prayer that we gave my younger sister the traditional medication my dad brought. Then she said, if we do not beat Dudu, she will kill her, and she was frequently fainting. So when I saw my father's reaction, I followed him to Dudu's house, where we beat her with the sticks we were holding and burnt her house. We didn't take her to the hospital because we believe the sickness is spiritual, not medical, and since my sister was calling her name, I believe she bewitched her. Many people in our family also claimed that Dudu is a witch. I hit her with a stick. We have no intention of killing her, we only wanted to give her a warning by beating her up.”

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The third suspect, Ahmed, also admitted joining in:

“On Tuesday when we came back from evening prayer, we were sitting under a tree when Naziru's mother said she has given her daughter the traditional medication her husband, Mr Bello, who is my uncle, brought. But her daughter is calling my aunt's name, Dudu, and she was shouting. It was from there, we went to Dudu's house together with my uncle and his son Naziru.

When we got there, Mr Bello asked the deceased why she bewitched his daughter, but he didn't give her time to explain, he went ahead and hit her with the stick he was holding. So, when I saw him hitting her, I also hit her with my stick.”

Ahmed added:

“I didn't know it will reach this extent of her losing her life. I feel so terrible with the offence I have committed. I am ready to face any consequences for my actions.”

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SP Nguroje confirmed that the suspects remain in custody:

“Further investigations are still ongoing and when completed, the suspects will be charged to court to face the law and the consequences of their actions. Presently, they are in the police crime investigations department.”

The command also urged residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands, advising the public to report such cases to security agencies for proper investigation and prosecution

Girl abducted 11 years ago finally rescued

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Adamawa state Police Command, through determination, teamwork, and community partnership, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Dankombo Morris Falings, had made significant progress in the ongoing battle against crime.

The Command has successfully apprehended 567 suspects involved in various violent and exploitative crimes. This sweeping wave of arrests has brought hope to families.

Source: Legit.ng