The Bauchi Police Command has confirmed the murder of 70-year-old Talatu Joshua, by four men in Gobir village, Kirfi Local Government Area over alleged witchcraft.

Bauchi Command spokesman CSP Ahmed Wakili in a statement on Wednesday explained that the assailants named Rilwanu Usman, Ali Isa, Ila Alhaji Marafa, and Jamilu Malam Usman, ambushed the elderly woman on March 2, 2025, inflicting multiple injuries, including a severe wound beneath her left ear.

The victim was rushed to the General Hospital in Kirfi where she was later pronounced dead. 

Following the investigation, the Police arrested the four suspects on March 8, 2025, and detained them at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further questioning.

The statement revealed that the attack was triggered by a traditional healer’s claim that Talatu was responsible for the illness of Ramatu Yusuf, the wife of one of the suspects. 

Acting on this accusation, the suspects allegedly confronted Talatu, accused her of witchcraft, before attacking her with sticks, leading to her death.