Man allegedly hired to kill 3 elderly women over witchcraft claims in Niger

A 35-year-old man, Mohammed Sani, has been arrested by the Niger State Police Command for allegedly killing an elderly woman and seriously injuring another after he was allegedly hired to attack three women accused of witchcraft.

The police said Sani, a native of Kebbi State, was invited by three men in Kokolo Village, Auna District, to carry out the attacks based on allegations that the women were witches.

According to the Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the incident occurred on October 3, 2026, when Sani allegedly trespassed into the residence of a community member and killed 65-year-old Tani Nuhu.

He said detectives from Nasko Division were deployed to the community following a report that Sani had entered the residence and attacked the woman.

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Sani was subsequently arrested alongside Isa Lamaran, 65, and Abdullahi Hamidu, both of Kokolo Village.

During interrogation, Abiodun explained that Sani allegedly confessed that Lamaran, Hamidu and another suspect, Rufa’i Gado, who is currently at large, had hired him to kill three elderly women they accused of being witches.

The suspect allegedly told investigators that Lamaran provided him with a hoe to carry out the attack, while Hamidu promised him two plots of land and his daughter’s hand in marriage if he succeeded.

The police disclosed that Sani allegedly killed Tani but grievously injured another of the targeted women before he was arrested.

Rufa’i Gado is still being sought by the police.

The three suspects are being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, as investigations continue.

The police said they would be charged with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt after the investigation is concluded and other accomplices have been arrested.

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