Three people have been arrested by the police in Gombe State for torturing two girls to death over allegations of being witches.
Three people have been arrested by the Gombe State Police Command for their parts in allegedly torturing two girls to death over allegations of being witches » , Inside Jos reports.
The suspects, James Awak, Adamu Zakka and Hannatu Awak, according to the State Police Command, were said to have who forcefully detained and tortured the girls, aged 13 and nine respectively after they were accused of witchcraft.
An official statement signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ahmed Usman, the three persons suspected conspired, forcefully confined, and tortured the girls with all manners of weapons including using a screwdriver on them, pouring corrosive substance of their bodies and beating them with horsewhips till they gave up the ghost and were secretly buried.
“The girls were tortured for two weeks; some liquid substance was rubbed on their body after which a horse whip was used to beat them.
A screwdriver was also used to inflict injuries on the girls and as a result, the 9-year-old, Abigail Lara, died. She has since been buried in an unmarked grave. The other girl died shortly after
The suspects, James Awak, Adamu Zakka and Hannatu Awak, have already been charged to court for committing an offense punishable under Nigerian laws,” DSP Usman.
Cases of young children stigmatized, tortured and brutalized as a result of being tagged child witches have been prevalent in the country and it is the belief of human rights activist that if there is a strong law against the abuse of children, it will be reduced to the barest minimum if not totally eradicated.