Police confirms murder of 70 yr old grandmother in Bauchi, announces arrest of 4 suspects
By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
The Bauchi state police command has confirmed reports of killing of 70 year old grandmother, Mama Talatu Joshua by some youths in Gobirawa community, Kirfi local government area of Bauchi state.
According to a crime bulletin made available to newsmen by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bauchi state command, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, the victim was murdered over alleged witchcraft.
He said a 25 year old man refered to as M, from Jinga village, Kirfi local government area, Bauchi state had on March 2, 2025, at about 0900hrs, reported to the Kirfi Divisional Police Headquarters that his grandmother, Talatu Joshua, a 70-year-old resident of Kuna village, Kirfi LGA, had been assaulted by a group of youths from Gobirawa village, Kirfi LGA.
The crime bulletin disclosed that the assailants, identified as Rilwanu Usman, Ali Isa, Ila Alhaji Marafa, and Jamilu Malam Usman, perpetrated the attack around 8:00hrs in a secluded area of Kuna, resulting in multiple injuries to the victim, including a significant injury beneath her left ear.
The PPRO stated that following the incident, the victim was transported to the General Hospital in Kirfi for medical attention but was subsequently pronounced deceased by a medical professional.
According to the PPRO, during the ongoing investigation, it was determined that the underlying cause of the attack originated from an incident on Friday, February 28, 2025 when the wife of one of the suspects, Ramatu Yusuf fell ill and sought counsel from a traditional healer, who alleged that Talatu of Jinga village was responsible for her condition.
The police said, “later that day, at about 05:00hrs, Jamilu Usman orchestrated a confrontation with Talatu, accompanied by Ismail Usman, Ali Isah, and Rilwanu Usman. During his encounter, they accused her of witchcraft and issued threats regarding her life during the upcoming Sallah procession”.
CSP Wakil further chronicled that the confrontation escalated, resulting in the suspects striking Talatu Joshua on the head with a stick, causing her to lose consciousness and ultimately leading to her demise.
Reacting to a petition written by the deceased family through a law firm, Ada-Light Kwaltings, Samuel, & Partners to the Bauchi state police command alleging failure of police to arrest the suspects, CSP Wakil, said the document contains several assertions that lack substantiation.
He faulted paragraph 4 of the petition states which stated thus: “The policemen attached to Kirfi Division confirmed the death of the deceased and left their office informing the complainant that he would hear from them the next day, while the corpse was left without further instruction”.
“It is essential to clarify that law enforcement personnel are not qualified to make determinations regarding death”, CSP Wakil pointed out.
He added that “paragraph 6 alleges that following the March 2, 2025 incident, the police officers at Kirfi Division failed to take appropriate action against the suspects above, who were observed leaving the scene. It should b’s emphasised that the police, functioning as an independent entity, adhere strictly to established protocols and regulations concerning professional conduct”.
The police explained that each investigation involves a series of methodical steps that must be followed diligently.
He said that the police remain committed to thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic occurrence.
CSP Wakil noted that the suspects were apprehended on March 8, 2025, at about 5:30hrs and were subsequently detained at the Criminal Investigation Department.
He said, during the ongoing investigation, it was determined that the underlying cause of the attack originated from an incident on Friday, February 28, 2025.
The command urged all parties involved to refrain from- disseminating unfounded statements, saying, such actions may compromise the organisation’s integrity and jeopardise the prevailing peace in Bauchi state.
CSP Wakil said that the Police remain dedicated to adjudicating cases with objectivity and professionalism.