Two suspects identified as Hassan Ismaila and Mohammed Sani, have been nabbed by the Nasarawa State Police Command for allegedly starving their 35-year-old cousin to death, over allegations that he practised witchcraft.
In a statement released by the command, that suspects were said to have tied the hands and legs of one Sani over his alleged involvement in witchcraft. He was held captive in a room for a long period until he died.
Shettima Mohammed, the state acting Commissioner of Police, revealed this at the command’s headquarters in Lafia on Monday, noting that the family hurriedly buried the remains of Sani.
Also, he said the two suspects denied their involvement and claimed that they only participated in the burial after discovering the decomposing body of the deceased.
Mohammed stated, “On November 30, 2023 around 1930hrs, based on credible information, one Mohammed Sani ‘M’ of Agyaragu Tofa was tied on both hands and legs and locked up in a room where he starved to death and was hurriedly buried by his family members on the allegation of witchcraft”.
“Police operatives attached to ‘A’ Division, Lafia swung into action and got the duo of Hassan Ismail and Mohammed Sani all males of Agyaragu Tofa arrested”.
“Efforts are ongoing to arrest all individuals involved in the dastardly act.”
In another development, the acting CP equally paraded 18 other suspects arrested for committing various crimes across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.
Similarly, a suspect identified as Habu Yusuf was also paraded for allegedly defiling a five-year-old girl in the Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of the state.
He mentioned that the suspect is not a first time offender, noting that he had previously raped two other young girls, while adding that officers made frantic efforts to capture the suspect.
He said, “Recently, a complaint was lodged at Nasarawa Eggon Division by one Justina Samuel that she returned from the market and found out that her five-year-old daughter was walking abnormally.”
“Upon enquiry, she revealed that she was sexually molested by one Habu Yusuf, 21 years old of Egbukumu Area, Nasarawa Eggon. Upon receipt of the complaint, the suspect was trailed and arrested.”
“Preliminary investigation revealed that Habu Yusuf had also sexually molested two of his elder brother’s children between the ages of eight and 10 before nemesis caught up with him. He has confessed to the commission of the crime and investigation is ongoing.”
Conclusively, he appreciated the collaboration of the other sister security agencies and that of the citizens with the police, in the fight against crime in Nasarawa State, while urging them to continue the support.