A minor in Magama Gumau, in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, has been thrown into severe pain after she was reportedly brutalized by her brother’s wife, identified as Suwaira Ibrahim, who allegedly burnt her private part with a hot knife.

Our correspondent gathered that the little girl, about seven years old, was accused of being a witch. According to a resident and an activist in the area, Kabiru Mohammed Abdulkadir, “Suwaira’s child told her that she saw the victim, Habiba (not real name), among a group of witches and was taken to a man to confirm whether she really belonged to a witchcraft group.”

Abdulkadir narrated: “The man told them that she is not a witch, but Suwaira disagreed with the confirmation. They returned home from where they went and put a knife or spoon on fire to burn her private part—believing that if she’s a real witch, she wouldn’t feel pain.

“It was her loud cries that disturbed the neighbours, and when we got there, we saw the situation and insisted that the case be reported to the police,” he said.

In the video clip obtained by our correspondent, the little girl’s private part and laps were burnt and progressed to rot. The activist added that the smell from the wound disturbs the whole household while she finds it difficult to defecate and pass urine.

It was gathered that the victim has been taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for treatment.

Meanwhile, the Police Spokesman in Bauchi State, CSP Ahmed Wakil, confirmed the incident. According to him, the case was reported in Toro Division, and the Command has ordered the referral of the case to the State Headquarters in Bauchi for proper investigation and prosecution.

“We are aware of it. Initially, some people wanted to cover up the case and handle it within the community, but we insisted that the case be brought to the Command. We are going to issue a full statement on it as soon as it gets to us,” he said. (The Guardian)