Witchcraft accusation kills 30-year-old woman in Bauchi, one suspect arrested

Another life lost to superstition and mob mentality. 30-year-old Habse Ubale was killed in Garin Malam Village, Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, in the early hours of July 28, 2026. The attackers stormed the home of her husband, 38-year-old Audu Sabo, after accusing her of being a witch.

The police say the prime suspect, 35-year-old Garba Daudu, conspired with two others, Ya'u Garba and Musa, to carry out the attack. Habse was hacked with a machete, while her husband and their two children, 12-year-old Sale Audu and 14-year-old Yakubu Audu, were beaten with sticks. The family was rushed to General Hospital in Gamawa, but Habse was confirmed dead by a doctor. One of the injured victims is still on admission.

This is why I keep saying the law must catch up with our reality. We cannot keep allowing people to take the law into their hands because of hearsay and superstition. The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has condemned the attack and warned against jungle justice, but will that bring Habse back? One suspect is in custody, two are still on the run. How many more of these senseless killings will we record before we start prosecuting these cases properly?