Police arrest herbalist, three others for murder of sister in Niger

A young male suspect, identified as Habibu Umaru, alongside his two accomplices, has been arrested by Police Operatives attached to the Niger State Police Command over the alleged killing of his immediate elder sister in the Bosso Local Government Area of the state.

 

 

 

 

The Commissioner of Police for Niger State, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, disclosed this over the weekend in Minna while parading no fewer than 24 suspects at the Command Headquarters in Dutshen Kura Hausa, Minna.

 

This parade was held as part of the Command’s year-end achievements and specifically related to the suspects arrested on Thursday, December 12, 2024, for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

 

 

 

 

According to the Police Commissioner, the deceased, Hadiza Umaru, was reported missing on December 1, 2024, and all efforts to locate her were unsuccessful. During the investigation, her brother, Habibu Umaru, was arrested. He allegedly confessed to luring her to a herbalist identified as Aliyu Malam Taiwe.

 

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“The herbalist, along with his accomplice Rabiu Aliyu, confessed to giving the victim a poisonous substance to drink to treat an ‘Evil Spirit,’ leading to her death,” said CP Danmamman. “They further confessed to burying the victim in a shallow grave within Taiwe forest near Maitumbi.”

 

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The investigation revealed three additional shallow graves in the area. The CP further explained that on December 5, 2024, a missing person complaint was lodged regarding Hadiza Umaru, who had been missing since December 1. All efforts to find her had failed.

 

 

 

 

During the investigation, Habibu Umaru, the first suspect, from Angwan-Maigari, Garatu Bosso, was strongly suspected of being involved in his sister’s disappearance.

 

 

 

 

He was arrested and, during questioning, allegedly admitted to being her “immediate younger brother” and tricking her into going to herbalist Aliyu Malam Taiwe in Taiwe village near Maitumbi.

 

 

 

 

“The herbalist, Aliyu Malam Taiwe, and his accomplice Rabiu Aliyu were arrested. During interrogation, they both confessed to administering a poisonous substance to the victim, which caused her death almost immediately,” the CP continued.

 

 

 

 

“They also confessed that after stripping the deceased, they buried her in a shallow grave within Taiwe forest.”

 

 

 

 

The investigation further uncovered three other shallow graves in the area, all victims having been killed in a similar manner, according to the CP.

 

 

 

 

The Commissioner assured that the investigation is ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court after its completion.

 

 

 

 

In another development, the Command also reported a significant crackdown on crime, with 713 suspects arrested for major crimes in 2024. These crimes include culpable homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, car theft, and unlawful possession of firearms, among others.

 

 

 

 

CP Shawulu Danmamman revealed that 680 of the suspects have been prosecuted, while 33 are still under investigation. The police also rescued 37 kidnapped victims from various locations in the state throughout the year.

 

 

 

 

The CP attributed these successes to proactive measures, effective partnerships with critical stakeholders, including traditional institutions, community leaders, labor unions, youth leaders, student bodies, the PCRC, and local communities.

 

 

 

 

“This collaboration has greatly assisted the Command in intelligence gathering and crime prevention,” he added.

 

 

 

 

CP Danmamman emphasized the importance of synergy among the security agencies in the state, which has contributed to the success of police operations and investigations.

 

 

 

 

As part of the success story, the police also recovered a significant amount of arms, ammunition, and vehicles. Some of the items recovered include:

 

-3 AK-47 rifles -4 locally made AK-47 rifles -16 automatic pump action rifles -1 English Barretter pistol -9 locally made revolver guns/pistols -2 locally made Baretta pistols -5 locally made pistols -2 other locally made guns -1,205 ammunition of 7.62mm caliber -Another 295-ammunition recovered from Tafa -18 ammunition of 9mm caliber.34 cartridges -12 different categories of vehicles -Dane guns, cutlasses, knives, saws and assorted charms mong others.