Man Arrested For Setting Young Girl Ablaze Over Witchcraft Allegations In Bauchi State (Photos)

The Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended a 30-year-old man, Hamza Umar, for allegedly setting a young girl on fire, accusing her of being a witch sent to kill him. The suspect, identified as Hamza Umar, poured kerosene on the victim, Hafsat Bala, and set her ablaze in his compound in the Rafin Albasa area of Bauchi.

According to the spokesperson of the command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, the incident occurred on the evening of June 18, 2023. The suspect claimed that the young girl had invaded his residence and declared that her elder sister had sent her to murder him. Hamza Umar attempted to send her away, but she resisted, insisting that she had buried some charms in the corner of his house.

When the victim refused to remove the alleged buried charms, the suspect became enraged and doused her with kerosene before setting her alight, alleging that she was a witch. Promptly informed of the incident, a team of detectives, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), swiftly responded to the scene. They evacuated Hafsat Bala and rushed her to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi for immediate medical attention.

The Bauchi State Police Command has launched a discreet investigation to ascertain the precise circumstances surrounding the incident. Meanwhile, Hamza Umar will face charges in court for the grave offenses of causing grievous harm and attempting culpable homicide once the investigation is completed.

The spokesperson of the command issued a stern warning, emphasizing that no individual has the right to subject another human being to such barbaric treatment. It is both morally and legally incorrect for anyone to assume the role of law enforcement and take matters into their own hands. The statement stressed that in such cases, the appropriate action should be to promptly report the matter to the police or other law enforcement agencies responsible for investigations.