The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old housewife, Rakiya Ya’u, for the brutal murder of her father-in-law, Damina Lamba.
Ya’u alleged that Lamba practised witchcraft and was responsible for her son’s death.
State Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Musa Muhammad, announced the arrest during a press briefing on 1 November 2024, at the command headquarters on Yandora Road, Bauchi.
According to the CP, two additional suspects, Abdu Lamba and Ruwa Aliyu, were also apprehended in connection with the murder.
The body of Damina Lamba was discovered on 25 October in a bush between Wuro Dangogo and Sarma village.
During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement and revealed that they had been hired by Rakiya Ya’u to kill Lamba due to the witchcraft allegations.
“On the 25th October, 2024, a motionless body of one Damina Lamba of Wuro Dangogo via Sarma village was found in a bush between Wuro Dangogo and Sarma village and a mark of violence was found on his head,” the CP stated.
“Our operatives attached to Misau Divisional Police Headquarters led by the DPO conveyed the body to the General Hospital Misau, where he was certified dead by a medical doctor.
“The operatives swiftly swung into action to unravel the perpetrators behind the gruesome killing.
“Consequently, on October 30, 2024, three suspects were apprehended in connection with the act.
“The suspects are: 1. Abdu Lamba, male, age 20-year-old, 2. Ruwa Aliyu, male, age 22-year-old, and 3. Rakiya Ya’u, female, age 20 years old, all residents of Wuro Dangogo hamlet in Sarma ward.
“During the interrogation, both Abdu Lamba and Ruwa Aliyu admitted to their involvement in the crime.
“They disclosed that they were hired by one Rakiya Ya’u f to carry out the act against her father-in-law, whom she claimed to have been practicing witchcraft and had caused the death of her son last year.
“Additionally, two sticks, reported to be used in perpetrating the crime, were recovered as evidence.”
