The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old man, Mohammed Sani, for allegedly killing an elderly woman and seriously injuring another after reportedly being hired to attack three women accused of witchcraft.
The command’s spokesman, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said Sani, a native of Kebbi State, was allegedly engaged by three men in Kokolo Village, Auna District, to eliminate the women over claims that they were witches.
Abiodun said the incident occurred on October 3, 2026, when Sani allegedly broke into the residence of a community member and attacked 65-year-old Tani Nuhu, who died in the incident.
Following a report of the attack, detectives from the Nasko Divisional Police Headquarters were deployed to the community, leading to Sani’s arrest alongside two residents, Isa Lamaran, 65, and Abdullahi Hamidu.
The police spokesman said preliminary investigation revealed that Lamaran, Hamidu and another suspect, identified as Rufa’i Gado, allegedly contracted Sani to kill the three elderly women.
According to the police, Sani allegedly told investigators that Lamaran supplied him with a hoe for the operation, while Hamidu promised him two plots of land and his daughter’s hand in marriage if he completed the assignment.
The command said the suspect succeeded in killing Nuhu but inflicted serious injuries on another of the women before he was apprehended. Gado, however, remains at large and is being pursued by the police.
Abiodun said the three suspects are currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna, adding that they would be charged with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt after investigations and the arrest of other suspected accomplices.
