Borno: Police arrest suspects in murder of alleged witch

The Biu Police Area Command has taken two individuals into custody over the murder of a 50-year-old woman, Hajara Saleh, who was accused of witchcraft in Borno State.

Borno State Commissioner of Police Yusuf Lawan confirmed that Saleh was killed on February 21 in the Bantine community of Biu Local Government Area. The incident was reported by residents of Dadinkowa Gunda ward around 11:00 a.m.

According to Lawan, three suspects—Ja’o Muhammad, Idrisa Muhammad, and Ya’u Muhammad, aged between 20 and 30—were believed to have conspired to murder Saleh, whom they accused of bringing misfortune to their community. The victim suffered fatal injuries to her neck, legs, and hands.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers found that Saleh had already been interred following Islamic rites by her husband, Saleh Bole, and other family members. Despite the burial, investigators were able to document her remains and collect vital evidence. Two of the suspects have been arrested, while a manhunt is underway to apprehend the third, who remains at large.

Commissioner Lawan described the attack as “barbaric and unjustified” and cautioned that claims of witchcraft must never be used as an excuse for extrajudicial killings or violence. “The police are fully committed to bringing all those responsible for this heinous crime to justice. The public must understand that the law does not permit people to take matters into their own hands,” he emphasized.

The detained individuals now face charges of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and other related offences. Lawan also urged community members to report any suspicions of witchcraft or other concerns to the authorities instead of resorting to jungle justice.