Housewife arrested over burning of minor’s private part

A housewife in Bauchi State, Suwaira Ibrahim, has been arrested for allegedly burning the private parts of a seven-year-old girl with a hot knife.  The incident occurred in Magama Gumau, Toro Local Government Area, after the girl was accused of being a witch. According to a resident and activist, Kabiru Mohammed Abdulkadir, Suwaira’s child claimed […]

A housewife in Bauchi State, Suwaira Ibrahim, has been arrested for allegedly burning the private parts of a seven-year-old girl with a hot knife. 

The incident occurred in Magama Gumau, Toro Local Government Area, after the girl was accused of being a witch.

According to a resident and activist, Kabiru Mohammed Abdulkadir, Suwaira’s child claimed to have seen the victim, Habiba (not her real name), with a group of witches. 

The two were then taken to a man to confirm the child’s involvement in witchcraft.

“The man told them that she is not a witch, but Suwaira disagreed with the confirmation,” Abdulkadir stated. 

“They returned home and put a knife or spoon on the fire to burn her private parts, believing that if she were a real witch, she wouldn’t feel pain.”

The girl’s loud cries alerted neighbours, who intervened and insisted the case be reported to the police. 

A video of the victim shows her private parts and thighs with severe burns that have begun to rot. 

According to the activist, the smell from the wounds is overwhelming, and the girl is unable to urinate or defecate.

The victim has since been taken to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for treatment.

Police investigate incident

CSP Ahmed Wakil, the police spokesman in the state, confirmed the incident. 

He said the case was initially reported at the Toro Division, but the command has now ordered its transfer to the state headquarters for a proper investigation and prosecution.

“We are aware of it. Initially, some people wanted to cover up the case and handle it at the community level, but we insisted that the case be brought to the command,” Wakil said. 

He added, “We are going to issue a full statement on it as soon as it gets to us.”