Niger Police Arrest Three Suspects Over Alleged Murder of Elderly Woman in Witchcraft Dispute

The Niger State Police Command has arrested three men over the alleged murder of a 65-year-old woman, Tani Nuhu, and the serious injury of another elderly woman in an incident reportedly linked to accusations of witchcraft in Kokolo Village, Auna District, Niger State.

The case has raised serious concerns about the dangers of superstition-driven accusations, the protection of vulnerable people and the consequences of taking the law into one’s hands. According to the police, one of the suspects allegedly attacked the women after being recruited by men who accused them of practising witchcraft.

How the Incident Happened

The incident reportedly occurred on 3 October 2026, when a 35-year-old man, identified as Mohammed Sani and said to be from Kebbi State, allegedly entered a residence in the community and attacked an elderly woman.

The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said detectives attached to the Nasko Division were deployed following a report about the attack. The investigation reportedly led to Sani’s arrest and the apprehension of two other suspects.

The victim, Tani Nuhu, aged 65, allegedly died from the attack, while another woman reportedly sustained serious injuries. The police said the alleged plan had involved three elderly women accused of witchcraft.

Police Identify Suspected Sponsors

The police identified the two other arrested suspects as Isa Lamaran, 65, and Abdullahi Hamidu, both reportedly from Kokolo Village. Another alleged accomplice, Rufa’i Gado, was said to be at large at the time of the report.

According to the police account, Sani allegedly told investigators that Lamaran, Hamidu and Gado had recruited him to attack the women because they believed the women were witches.

The police further alleged that Lamaran supplied a hoe for the attack, while Hamidu reportedly promised Sani two plots of land and his daughter’s hand in marriage if he succeeded in carrying out the plan.

These allegations, if established in court, would point to a disturbing level of premeditation. However, the claims remain allegations, and the suspects are entitled to the presumption of innocence until their guilt is established through due legal process.

Witchcraft Accusations and the Threat to Human Life

The incident highlights the grave danger that arises when unproven supernatural claims are treated as justification for violence. An accusation of witchcraft is not evidence that a person has committed a crime, and no individual or group has the right to punish, attack or kill another person on that basis.

Elderly women are particularly vulnerable in communities where fear, misinformation and longstanding superstitions can influence how illness, death, poverty or other misfortunes are explained. Such accusations can leave innocent people exposed to intimidation, abuse, social exclusion and, in the worst cases, fatal attacks.

Beliefs and religious convictions differ across Nigerian communities, but they cannot lawfully replace evidence, investigation or the courts. Where residents suspect wrongdoing or believe that a crime has occurred, the appropriate response is to report the matter to the relevant authorities rather than organise an attack.

The death of an elderly woman and the reported injury of another are reminders that accusations can have irreversible consequences when people abandon reason and lawful procedures.

Why Community Leaders Must Act

Traditional rulers, religious leaders, community associations and other influential figures have an important role to play in preventing accusations from escalating into violence. Community leaders should discourage public labelling of individuals as witches and avoid endorsing practices that expose vulnerable residents to harm.

Religious and traditional institutions can also help by promoting peaceful conflict resolution, respect for human dignity and cooperation with law enforcement. Where people are distressed by unexplained events, responsible leadership requires encouraging medical attention, evidence-based explanations and lawful reporting instead of identifying individuals as scapegoats.

Public education is equally important. Residents need to understand that allegations of supernatural wrongdoing do not give anyone permission to assault another person, threaten a family or arrange a killing.

The protection of elderly people should also be treated as a community responsibility. Families, neighbours and local authorities must take threats seriously and seek timely intervention when someone is being targeted because of an accusation.

Legal Consequences for the Suspects

The police reportedly said the three arrested suspects were being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna while investigations continued. The command also said efforts were underway to apprehend the remaining alleged accomplice.

According to the report, the suspects could face charges relating to criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt after the investigation is concluded and the outstanding suspect is apprehended.

The final legal outcome will depend on the evidence gathered by investigators and the proceedings before a competent court. Establishing who planned the attack, who carried it out and the precise roles of each suspect will be essential to determining individual responsibility.

The case also underlines the importance of a thorough investigation that protects the rights of both the victims and the accused while ensuring that credible evidence is presented before the court.

Justice for the Victims and Protection for the Living

For the family of Tani Nuhu, the reported loss is irreversible. The other injured woman also deserves appropriate medical care, protection and support as the case proceeds.

Beyond the criminal investigation, the incident should prompt a wider discussion about how communities respond to allegations of witchcraft and other supernatural explanations for misfortune. Preventing similar attacks requires more than arresting suspects after a tragedy; it requires challenging the beliefs and practices that make such violence possible.

Authorities and community leaders should ensure that elderly residents who face threats receive protection and that people who make credible threats are reported promptly. Public awareness initiatives should also make clear that no accusation can justify mob violence, assault or murder.

The alleged killing of Tani Nuhu and the injury of another elderly woman in Niger State represent a deeply troubling case in which accusations of witchcraft reportedly preceded violence.

As the police continue their investigation, the priority must be to establish the facts, ensure due process and hold anyone found responsible accountable under the law. At the same time, communities must reject violence based on unproven allegations and uphold the right of every person, regardless of age or social status, to live in safety and dignity.

No one should lose their life because others accuse them of possessing supernatural powers. Justice must be based on evidence, not fear or superstition.

Joseph Iyaji