Zamfara: Hisbah arrests woman over alleged witchcraft activities

The Zamfara State Hisbah Commission has arrested a woman, Khadija Abdullah, over allegations of engaging in witchcraft-related activities in the Gadar Baga area of Gusau, the state capital.

The commission’s Public Relations Officer, Umar Haruna Tsafe, disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying it followed complaints from community leaders about alleged spiritual practices being carried out at the suspect’s residence.

According to the statement, operatives of the commission raided the residence after receiving reports from residents.

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Speaking on the development, the Director of Operations of the commission, Lawal Abubakar Maradun, said the suspect admitted during interrogation that she used certain perfumes and claimed to be possessed by spirits.

He alleged that the suspect told investigators she would recite prayers into water and give it to people as a form of treatment.

The commission also said another woman, identified as Asiya Lawal, was found at the residence during the operation.

According to the statement, Lawal informed officials that she had visited the house to seek treatment for what she described as a spiritual ailment.

A resident of the area, quoted by the commission, alleged that the house had become a regular destination for people seeking traditional or spiritual remedies during both day and night.

The Chairman of the Zamfara State Hisbah Commission, Sheikh Umar Hassan Gusau, has directed that investigations be intensified to determine the authenticity of the allegations and ensure that appropriate action is taken in accordance with the law.

The commission did not disclose whether any formal charges had been filed against the suspect as investigations continue.