Wednesday, March 12, 2025 - Four suspects have been arrested by the Bauchi State Police Command for their alleged involvement in the murder of a 70-year-old woman, Mama Talatu Joshua, over allegations of witchcraft in Jinga village, Kirfi Local Government Area of the state.
Spokesperson of the command, CSP Ahmed
Mohammed Wakil, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, March 11,
2025, said the wife of one of the suspects, Ramatu Yusuf, fell ill and sought
counsel from a traditional healer, who alleged that late Talatu was responsible
for her condition.
The suspects confronted Talatu while she
was returning home from St. Benedict Catholic Church on March 2, 2025, accused
her of witchcraft, and threatened her life before attacking her with sticks,
knives and cutlasses, leading to her d3ath.
A petition submitted by ADA-LIGHT
KWALTINGS, SAMUEL & PARTNERS, on behalf of the victim's family alleged that
since the incident, officers from the Kirfi Division have not taken further
action against the suspects
“The Bauchi State Police Command has
received a petition and correspondence from ADA-LIGHT KWALTINGS, SAMUEL &
PARTNERS concerning the murder of Mama Talatu Joshua, a 70-year-old resident of
Gobir village in the Kirfi Local Government Area (LGA),” the statement read.
"The alleged perpetrators include
Rilwanu Mani (Chiroman Gobir), Ali Isah (Sarkin Gobir), Ila Amo (Marafan
Gobir), and Jamilu, all of whom are males from Gobir village, also within Kirfi
LGA, Bauchi State.
"According to the petition, on the 2nd
of March 2024, at about 1600hrs, Mama Talatu was assaulted by the
aforementioned suspects while returning home from St. Benedict Catholic Church.
"She sustained multiple injuries from
sticks, knives, and cutlasses, which ultimately resulted in her death at the
scene before any intervention by bystanders.
"The complainant promptly contacted Police
ASP Jerry via mobile telephone, notifying him of the tragic circumstances. Upon
his arrival at the scene with a contingent of officers, he discovered the
victim deceased.
"Officers from the Kirfi Division
confirmed her death but informed the complainant that he would receive further
updates the following day, thereby leaving the body without additional
instructions.
"By the 3rd of March 2025, the
complainant had not received any communication from the officers of the Kirfi
Division. He once again reached out to ASP Jerry for guidance regarding the body. The ASP indicated that all pertinent information had been
obtained and advised him to proceed with the burial.
"Since the incident on the 2nd of
March 2025, officers from the Kirfi Division have not taken further action
against the suspects, who were observed fleeing the scene, and none have been
apprehended for investigation and interrogation.
"The suspects' actions are deemed
inhumane, illegal, and unjustifiable, thereby jeopardising the community's
peace. Mama Talatu, a mother of ten and grandmother of forty, dedicated her
entire life to Jinga village in Kirfi LGA, while the alleged perpetrators
remain large.
"On March 2, 2025, at about 0900hrs, a
25-year-old male, referred to as M, from Jinga village, Kirfi Local Government
Area (LGA), Bauchi State, reported to the Kirfi Divisional Police Headquarters
that his grandmother, Talatu Joshua, a 70-year-old resident of Kuna village,
Kirfi LGA, had been assaulted by a group of youths from Gobirawa village, Kirfi
LGA.
"The assailants, identified as Rilwanu
Usman, Ali Isa, Ila Alhaji Marafa, and Jamilu Malam Usman, perpetrated the
attack around 8:00hrs in a secluded area of Kuna, resulting in multiple
injuries to the victim, including a significant injury beneath her left ear.
"Following the incident, the victim
was transported to the General Hospital in Kirfi for medical attention but was
subsequently pronounced deceased by a medical professional.
"In response to this incident, it is
imperative to address a petition submitted by ADA-LIGHT KWALTINGS, SAMUEL,
& PARTNERS, which contains several assertions that lack substantiation.
Paragraph 4 of the petition states, "The policemen attached to Kirfi
Division confirmed the death of the deceased and left their office informing
the complainant that he would hear from them the next day, while the corpse was
left without further instruction." It is essential to clarify that law
enforcement personnel are not qualified to make determinations regarding d3ath.
"Furthermore, paragraph 6 alleges that
following the March 2, 2025 incident, the police officers at Kirfi Division
failed to take appropriate action against the suspects above, who were observed
leaving the scene. It should be emphasised that the police, functioning as an
independent entity, adhere strictly to established protocols and regulations
concerning professional conduct. Each investigation involves a series of
methodical steps that must be followed diligently. The police remain committed
to thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic
occurrence.
"The suspects were apprehended on
March 8, 2025, at about 5:30hrs and were subsequently detained at the Criminal
Investigation Department.
"During the ongoing investigation, it
was determined that the underlying cause of the attack originated from an
incident on Friday, February 28, 2025. On that date, the wife of one of the
suspects, Ramatu Yusuf, fell ill and sought counsel from a traditional healer,
who alleged that Talatu of Jinga village was responsible for her condition.
"Later that day, at about 05:00hrs,
Jamilu Usman orchestrated a confrontation with Talatu, accompanied by Ismail
Usman, Ali Isah, and Rilwanu Usman.
"During his encounter, they accused her of witchcraft and issued
threats regarding her life during the upcoming Sallah procession. The
confrontation escalated, resulting in the suspects striking Talatu Joshua on
the head with a stick, causing her to lose consciousness and ultimately leading
to her demise.
“The Police remain dedicated to adjudicating cases with objectivity and professionalism.”
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