From ABBAS GUNGURA, Bauchi
THE Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a housewife, Zuwaira Ibrahim, of Magama Gumau in Toro Local Government Area, for allegedly burning the private part of her seven-year-old stepdaughter with a hot knife.
THE NIGERIA STANDARD checks revealed that Zuwaira accused the minor of being a witch.
According to a resident and activist in the area, Kabiru Mohammed Abdulkadir: “Zuwaira’s child told her that she saw the victim amongst a group of witches and was taken to a man to confirm whether she really belongs to a witchcraft group.
“The man confirmed to them that she is not a witch but Zuwaira was not satisfied with the outcome of the confirmation. Shortly after returning home from the confirmation, the little girl’s brother’s wife, Zuwaira, heated a knife on fire and burnt the innocent girl’s private part, believing that if she’s a real witch she won’t feel pain.”
Abdulkadir further disclosed that the victim’s loud outcry drew the attention of neighbours, who insisted the case be reported to the police.
He revealed that a video clip showed the child’s private part and laps were visibly burnt and had begun to rot.
The activist said the wound produced a foul smell that polluted the household, and the girl now found it difficult to defecate or pass urine.
The victim has since been taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for urgent medical attention.
Confirming the incident, Bauchi Police Command Public Relations Officer, CSP Ahmed Wakil, said: “The case was reported in Toro Division and the Command has ordered the referral of the case to the State Headquarters in Bauchi for proper investigation and prosecution. We are aware of it.
“Initially some people wanted to cover the case and handle it within the community level but we insisted that the case be brought to the Command. We are going to issue a detailed statement on it as soon as we conclude investigation before going to court.”