A 30-year-old man was arrested on Sunday by the police in Bauchi State after he poured kerosene on a girl and set her ablaze on the allegation that she is a witch.
The suspect, one Hamza Umar, was said to have committed the crime when the victim, Hafsat Bala, stormed his compound at Rafin Albasa area of Bauchi metropolis and allegedly claimed that she was sent by her elder sister to kill the suspect.
Despite making attempts to chase the victim out of the premises of his residence, Bala was said to have resisted, claiming that she was asked to bury some charms at the corner of the house and further refused to remove the charms when asked to do so.
Confirming the incident in a press release, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, stated that the police arrested the suspect for causing grievous hurt and attempting to commit culpable homicide.
“On June 18, 2023, at about 1930hrs, police operatives attached to the command acted on credible intelligence and arrested one Hamza Umar “M,” 30yrs of Rafin Albasa area of Bauchi for causing grievous hurt and attempt to commit offence to-wit culpable homicide.
“According to the narration by the accused (Hamza Umar), the victim, Hafsat Bala, invaded his residence in Rafin Albasa area of Bauchi and walked around the premises. He asked her what brought her into his compound and in response, the girl told him that she was sent by her eldest sister to come and kill him.
“The accused (Mr Hamza Umar) tried to send her away from his compound, but the victim resisted, claiming that she was asked to bury some charms at the corner of the house. The suspect further asked the victim to remove what she claimed to have buried in his compound, but she refused.
“The suspect became furious at this point and poured her kerosene and set her ablaze in his compound, claiming she was a witch,” SP Wakil stated.
He informed that police operatives evacuated the victims to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for treatment, while investigation is ongoing to unravel the exact circumstances leading to the incident.
The police image maker assured that the suspect will be charged to court upon completion of the ongoing investigation.
Wakil, however, warned people against taking the law into their hands, asserting that “nobody has the right to treat a human being in such a barbaric manner”, adding that the suspect ought to have reported the matter to the police.
According to the PPRO, “it is wrong for anyone to assume the position of a law enforcement agency. He should have taken the minor and handed him over to the police or any law enforcement agencies saddled with the responsibility of an investigation.”
