“Police Confirm: Mob Kills Three Over Alleged Witchcraft in Adamawa”

Babatunji Wusu –

The Adamawa State Police Command has confirmed the brutal killing of three individuals accused of witchcraft in Lamurde Local Government Area. The victims, identified as Lazarus Bashiru, Galion Isa, and Ajasko Yakubu, were reportedly tortured and killed by a group led by Salestina Bala and her collaborators. The incident was reported to the Tigno Divisional Police Headquarters on September 14, 2024, by Dogara Sabon Reza and Jeri Dogara, who detailed the horrific events.

The police have condemned these extra-judicial killings and have deployed security forces to apprehend those responsible for the violence. In response to the incident, the Command emphasized the gravity of the situation and the need to uphold law and order. Preliminary investigations have led to the arrest of the main suspect, with the police underscoring that such acts of cruelty and violence are completely unacceptable.

The Command issued this statement following speculation about communal unrest in Lamurde, which surfaced early Monday morning. A social media alert claimed that violent clashes had resulted in six deaths, specifically attributing these to conflicts between the Lunguda and Waja ethnic groups. The Adamawa Police Command has refuted these claims, labeling the report as false and incendiary. They clarified that there have been no clashes between these groups and criticized the spread of such misinformation.

The police have urged responsible reporting and caution against spreading unverified information that could incite further unrest. The Command’s response aims to dispel rumors and provide accurate information to the public, emphasizing their commitment to addressing and resolving the tragic incident in Lamurde.