A 35-year-old man, Mohammed Sani, has been arrested by the Niger State Police Command for allegedly killing an elderly woman and seriously injuring another in a witchcraft-related attack that took place on October 3, 2026, in Kokolo Village, Auna District. The incident, which has drawn widespread attention due to its violent nature and alleged supernatural motive, involved Sani being hired by three local men to carry out attacks against three women accused of witchcraft. According to police, Sani, a native of Kebbi State, was lured into the crime with promises of land and marriage.
The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that detectives from the Nasko Division were deployed to the scene after receiving reports of a violent intrusion into a resident’s home. Upon arrival, they discovered that Sani had entered the house and fatally attacked 65-year-old Tani Nuhu. He also inflicted serious injuries on another elderly woman before being apprehended by officers. The arrest followed a swift investigation that uncovered the involvement of two other suspects: Isa Lamaran, 65, and Abdullahi Hamidu, both residents of Kokolo Village.
During interrogation, Sani reportedly confessed to carrying out the attacks at the behest of Lamaran, Hamidu, and a third suspect, Rufa’i Gado, who remains at large. He revealed that Lamaran supplied him with a hoe to use in the killings, while Hamidu promised him two plots of land and his daughter’s hand in marriage as incentives for success. These revelations have raised alarm over the persistence of harmful superstitions and vigilante justice in some rural communities across Nigeria.
The police have since taken Sani, Lamaran, and Hamidu into custody and are holding them at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna. They are expected to face charges including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and causing grievous hurt once the investigation is completed and all accomplices are apprehended. Authorities have emphasized their commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting vulnerable citizens from baseless accusations and violence.
This case highlights the dangers posed by unchecked beliefs in witchcraft, which continue to lead to tragic outcomes in parts of Nigeria. As investigations proceed, law enforcement agencies are urging communities to report such incidents promptly and to reject practices that endanger lives under false pretenses. The arrest of these individuals sends a clear message that no one is above the law, regardless of the motives behind their actions.
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