The Bauchi State Police Department has confirmed the horrible murder of Talatu Joshua, 70, who allegedly attacked witchcraft charges in Gobir Village, the Colfi local government area.
The attackers – Rilwanu Usman, Ali Isa, Ila Alhaji Marafa and Jamilu Malam Usman, ambushed the elderly woman on March 2, 2025, causing multiple injuries, including serious wounds.
The victim was taken to Kilfi’s General Hospital and was later pronounced dead.
CSP Ahmed Wakili arrested four suspects on March 8, 2025 and detained them in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in a statement issued Wednesday, following an investigation.
The statement further details that the attack was reportedly triggered by a disease caused by traditional therapists claiming Talatu caused one of the suspects’ wife, Ramatu Yusuf.
The suspect allegedly made charges against the charge, allegedly confronting Taratu, accusing her of witchcraft and threatening her life, and then attacking her with a stick, causing her death.
Meanwhile, Samuel & Partners Ada-Light Kwaltings filed a petition that claimed that despite being aware of his identity, officials at Kofis have not arrested the suspect.
According to the petition, on March 2, 2025, Mama Talatu was attacked when she returned home from St. Benedict’s Catholic Church.
The suspect allegedly used sticks, knives and knives, causing fatal damage before the bystanders could intervene.
Wakili explained: “The complainant immediately contacted police officer ASP Jerry via cell phone to report the incident, adding: “After arriving with a group of officers, he found that the victim had died. ”
The petition further states that officials from the Kilfi branch confirmed her death but told the complainant that he would receive the latest news the next day without further instructions to leave the body.
By the next morning, when no update was received, the complainant contacted ASP Jerry again, and he reportedly suggested he conduct a burial, claiming that all the necessary information had been collected.
In addition, the petition claims that police failed to act against the suspect even though witnesses saw them fleeing the scene since the March 2 incident.
It describes their actions as “inhuman, illegal and unreasonable, endangering the peace of the community”.
Ahmed Wakili responded to the petition, saying the petition contained “several assertions that lacked confirmation.”
He refers to paragraph 4 of the petition, he clarified: “It noted that the police in Kofiz confirmed the death of the deceased and left their office and informed the complainant that he would hear from them the next day and the body was left with further guidance.
“It is crucial that law enforcement officers are medically ineligible to determine death.”
He further dismissed paragraph 6, which claimed that police failed to take action against the fleeing suspect.
“The police, as an independent entity, strictly abide by professional agreements and procedures.
“Every survey follows a methodical process and must be carefully observed,” he said.
“We remain committed to revealing the full picture of this tragic event,” he said.
CSP Wakili provided the latest news of the investigation, confirming: “The suspect was arrested at 5:30 am on March 8, 2025 and is currently in custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Wakili warned against misleading information, saying: “Usually, the order ignores these allegations, but because misleading statements circulate in the public, it is necessary to keep records.”
He urged all parties to “avoid dissemination of false information that could undermine police integrity and undermine peace in Bauchi State.
“Bauchi State Police Command remains committed to handling this case with the utmost professionalism and objectivity.”
