The police command in Adamawa State has verified the deaths of three people who were allegedly murdered after being accused of witchcraft.
News About Nigeria reports that this is contained in a statement issued on Monday by Suleiman Nguroje, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in Adamawa.
The PPRO said the complainants gave the names of the victims of the brutal killing as Lazarus Bashiru, Galion Isa, and Ajasko Yakubu.
“On the 14/9/2024, one Dogara Sabon Reza and Jeri Dogara reported at Tigno Divisional Police Headquarters that one Salestina Bala and her collaborators conspired, tortured, and killed three people who they accused of witchcraft,” the statement said.
The police identified the victims and suspects as residents of Lamurde Local Government Area and have condemned the summary executions, vowing to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators.
“Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of the suspect as this cruel and violent manner of hers will lead to a breakdown of law and order and is totally unacceptable,” the police said.
The police clarified the situation due to growing anxiety over rumoured communal unrest in Lamurde, which spread across Adamawa State on Monday.
A social media post, masquerading as a public alert, ignited the rumours, falsely alleging six fatalities in Lamurde’s violent clashes.
The Adamawa police command denounced the report as fake news, criticising its incendiary claims of Lunguda/Waja violence and multiple deaths as entirely “unfounded and reprehensible.”
“There’s no iota of truth, neither was there any Lunguda/Waja clashes,” the police said, advising writers who mean well for society to be wary of their posts.
