Ayomidele Oluwasusi
MINNA, Nigeria – Three person have been arrested for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide in Nigeria’s north-central state of Niger, police said on Thursday.
Habibu Umaru, Aliyu Mallam Taiwe and Rabiu Aliyu were arrested in connection with the alleged murder of Hadiza Umaru – in Bosso Local Government Area, the state police command said.
Hadiza was reported missing on December 1, 2024, and despite extensive search efforts, her whereabouts remained unknown, local news outlets reported.
Following an investigation, her brother, Habibu, was apprehended and confessed to luring her to a herbalist, Aliyu Mallam Taiwe.
Taiwe, along with his accomplice, Rabiu Aliyu, admitted to administering a poisonous substance to Hadiza, claiming it was for the treatment of “evil spirits.”
However, the substance led to her death.
The suspects confessed that they buried Hadiza’s body in a shallow grave within Taiwe forest near Maitumbi.
However, the police have since discovered three shallow graves in the area linked to the crime.
Parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Minna on Thursday, Commissioner of Police Shawulu Danmamman said the suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.
“On December 5th, 2024, a complaint of a missing person was reported at the Crack-Squad Unit that, one Hadiza Umaru residing in Garatu, Bosso was discovered missing on December 1st, 2024 and all efforts to locate her proved abortive,” CP Danmamman said.
“In the course of investigation, one Habibu Umaru of Angwan-Maigari, Garatu Bosso was strongly suspected of the disappearance of the victim and he was arrested.
“During interrogation, he confessed to be the victim’s biological brother and deceitfully took her to one herbalist, named Aliyu Mallam Taiwe at Taiwe village via Maitumbi.
“The said Mallam was arrested with one Rabiu Aliyu and during interrogation, they confessed to have given the victim a poisonous substance to drink for the treatment of “Evil Spirit” and she died instantly.
“They narrated further that the deceased was stripped of her cloth and buried in a shallow grave within Taiwe forest via Maitumbi.
“Investigation further revealed that three additional shallow graves were discovered in the area with the same method of killing the victim.
“Investigation continues and the suspects will be charged to court after investigation,” the police boss added.
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