A 30-year-old woman, Habse Ubale, has been allegedly hacked to death after being accused of witchcraft in Garin Malam Village, Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The Bauchi State Police Command said one suspect had been arrested in connection with the incident, while two others were on the run.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, adding that the suspects were being investigated for criminal conspiracy, house trespass, assault, and culpable homicide.

According to the statement, the incident was reported at the Gamawa Divisional Police Headquarters on July 29 by a 45-year-old resident of the community.

Habib said preliminary investigations revealed that at about 2:28 a.m. on July 28, the principal suspect, identified as Garba Daudu, 35, allegedly conspired with two others, Ya’u Garba and Musa, whose full identity had yet to be ascertained, to invade the residence of Audu Sabo.

“The suspects attacked Audu Sabo on the allegation that his wife, Habse Ubale, was a witch.

“During the attack, the suspects also assaulted Sale Audu, 12, and Yakubu Audu, 14, with sticks, while Habse Ubale was attacked with a machete.

:As a result, all the victims sustained varying degrees of serious injuries,” the statement read.

The police spokesperson said a combined team of police operatives, hunters, and vigilantes was immediately deployed to the scene, while the victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Gamawa, for treatment.

He said Ubale was later confirmed dead by a medical doctor, while one of the injured victims remained on admission and the other two were treated and discharged.

Habib added that police operatives swiftly arrested one suspect, while efforts had been intensified to apprehend the two fleeing suspects.

He said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for discreet investigation and possible prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the killing, warning residents against jungle justice and violence driven by superstition.

He assured the public that the command remained committed to ensuring justice for the victim and bringing all those involved in the crime to justice.

The command also urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and provide credible information that could assist security operatives in arresting the remaining suspects. (The PUNCH, excluding headline)

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