By: Baba Mohammed Issahaq
Four men have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of a 70-year-old woman, Noab Bilatukin, who was accused of witchcraft and lynched in the village of Sangbana, near Bunkpurugu.
According to the Bunkpurugu Yunyoo District Police, the suspects, Suuk Jakwa, 67, Banyiwoo Ntookwib, 32, Moapya Kwayaja, 30, and Amos Nlaji, 29 allegedly accused the elderly woman of being a witch and led a violent attack against her on July 10, 2025. They fled the community after the incident.
On July 14, acting on reliable intelligence, the Police tracked down and arrested the suspects from various hideouts in villages surrounding Bunkpurugu. They are currently in custody, assisting with investigations, and are expected to be arraigned in court once the investigation is complete.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Robert Anabiik Anmain, Public Affairs Officer for the North East Region, condemned the attack and warned against the dangerous trend of accusing elderly people of witchcraft.
“The Police would like to reiterate our call on the general public, especially citizens of the North East Region, to desist from the practice of accusing people, especially the aged, of being witches or wizards and subjecting them to violent attacks. Persons who engage in this act will be dealt with legally when caught,” he said.
The Police say efforts are ongoing to arrest others who may have been involved in the attack.
