Bauchi: Police confirm gruesome killing of 70-year-old grandmother over alleged witchcraft

Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the gruesome murder of 70-year-old grandmother, Talatu Joshua who was attacked by four assailants in Gobir village, Kirfi LGA of Bauchi.

The Command also conformed the arrest of the four suspects linked to the crime for the offence of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

According to the Command PPRO, CSP Ahmed Wakili, in a statement he made available to Journalists late Tuesday evening, “On March 2, 2025, at about 0900hrs, a 25-year-old male, referred to as M, from Jinga village, Kirfi Local Government Area (LGA), Bauchi State, reported to the Kirfi Divisional Police Headquarters that his grandmother, Talatu Joshua, a 70-year-old resident of Kuna village, Kirfi LGA, had been assaulted by a group of youths from Gobirawa village, Kirfi LGA.”

The PPRO added, “The assailants, identified as Rilwanu Usman, Ali Isa, Ila Alhaji Marafa, and Jamilu Malam Usman, perpetrated the attack around 8:00hrs in a secluded area of Kuna, resulting in multiple injuries to the victim, including a significant injury beneath her left ear.”

He added, “Following the incident, the victim was transported to the General Hospital in Kirfi for medical attention but was subsequently pronounced deceased by a medical professional.”

Ahmed Wakili further stated, “The Bauchi State Police Command has received a petition and correspondence from ADA-LIGHT KWALTINGS, SAMUEL & PARTNERS concerning the murder of Mama Talatu Joshua, a 70-year-old resident of Gobir village in the Kirfi Local Government Area (LGA).

The petition contained that the alleged perpetrators include Rilwanu Mani (Chiroman Gobir), Ali Isah (Sarkin Gobir), Ila Amo (Marafan Gobir), and Jamilu, all of whom are males from Gobir village, also within Kirfi LGA, Bauchi State.

According to the petition, on the 2nd of March 2024, at about 1600hrs, Mama Talatu was assaulted by the aforementioned suspects while returning home from St. Benedict Catholic Church.

It further contained that She sustained multiple injuries from sticks, knives, and cutlasses, which ultimately resulted in her death at the scene before any intervention by bystanders.

The complainant promptly contacted Police ASP Jerry via mobile telephone, notifying him of the tragic circumstances but upon his arrival at the scene with a contingent of officers, he discovered the victim deceased.

Officers from the Kirfi Division confirmed her death but informed the complainant that he would receive further updates the following day, thereby leaving the body without additional instructions.

By the 3rd of March 2025, the complainant had not received any communication from the officers of the Kirfi Division and he once again reached out to ASP Jerry for guidance regarding the body. The ASP indicated that all pertinent information had been obtained and advised him to proceed with the burial.

Since the incident on the 2nd of March 2025, officers from the Kirfi Division have not taken further action against the suspects, who were observed fleeing the scene, and none have been apprehended for investigation and interrogation.

The suspects’ actions are deemed inhumane, illegal, and unjustifiable, thereby jeopardising the community’s peace. Mama Talatu, a mother of ten and grandmother of forty, dedicated her entire life to Jinga village in Kirfi LGA, while the alleged perpetrators remain large.

While responding to the petition submitted by ADA-LIGHT KWALTINGS, SAMUEL, & PARTNERS, the PPRO stated that it contained several assertions that lack substantiation.

He stressed that Paragraph 4 of the petition states, “The Policemen attached to Kirfi Division confirmed the death of the deceased and left their office informing the complainant that he would hear from them the next day, while the corpse was left without further instruction.” It is essential to clarify that law enforcement personnel are not qualified to make determinations regarding death.

Furthermore, paragraph 6 alleges that following the March 2, 2025 incident, the police officers at Kirfi Division failed to take appropriate action against the suspects above, who were observed leaving the scene.

The PPRO stated that, “It should be emphasised that the Police functioning as an independent entity, adhere strictly to established protocols and regulations concerning professional conduct. Each investigation involves a series of methodical steps that must be followed diligently. The police remain committed to thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic occurrence.”

According to him, “The suspects were apprehended on March 8, 2025, at about 5:30hrs and were subsequently detained at the Criminal Investigation Department. During the ongoing investigation, it was determined that the underlying cause of the attack originated from an incident on Friday, February 28, 2025.”

The PPRO explained, “On that date, the Wife of one of the suspects, Ramatu Yusuf, fell ill and sought counsel from a traditional healer, who alleged that Talatu of Jinga village was responsible for her condition.”

He added, “Later that day, at about 05:00hrs, Jamilu Usman orchestrated a confrontation with Talatu, accompanied by Ismail Usman, Ali Isah, and Rilwanu Usman. During his encounter, they accused her of witchcraft and issued threats regarding her life during the upcoming Sallah procession. The confrontation escalated, resulting in the suspects striking Talatu Joshua on the head with a stick, causing her to lose consciousness and ultimately leading to her demise.”

He stressed that, “Ordinary, the Command would have overlooked this issue, but it has become expedient to set the record straight; as members of the public are being misled. The Command urges all parties involved to refrain from disseminating unfounded statements, as such actions may compromise the organisation’s integrity and jeopardise the prevailing peace in Bauchi state.The Police remain dedicated to adjudicating cases with objectivity and professionalism.”