A heartbreaking incident has shaken the Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, where a 70-year-old woman, Talatu Joshua, was brutally lynched by four young men over baseless allegations of witchcraft.
Talatu had just attended Mass at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Kurba when she was ambushed and attacked.
The Bauchi State Police Command confirmed her tragic murder, revealing that the suspects—Rilwanu Usman, Ali Isa, Ila Alhaji Marafa, and Jamilu Malam Usman—assaulted her on March 12, 2025.
They inflicted multiple injuries, including a deep wound beneath her left ear. She was rushed to the General Hospital in Kirfi but was later pronounced dead.
Investigations led to the arrest of the four suspects, who are now in custody at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further questioning.
A Son’s Agony: ‘My Mother Was Never a Witch’
Johanna Haruna, Talatu’s son, shared his pain in an exclusive interview. He dismissed the witchcraft accusations as unfounded and described his mother as a victim of jungle justice.
“On March 2, 2025, I had just returned home when my son, Kefas, ran to me in distress, saying grandma had been attacked and was lying on the roadside.
He told me the attackers were Rilwanu, Ali, Jamilu, and Sama’ila—all Muslims. I rushed to the scene on my bike, hoping she was still alive, but she was already gone.”
Devastated, Johanna immediately alerted the police in Kirfi. “I reported the attack to Inspector Jerry, who assured me they would intervene.
But in the meantime, I had to carry my mother’s lifeless body home, overwhelmed with grief, waiting for justice to be served.”
Delayed Justice and Lingering Questions
The Catechist of St. Benedict Catholic Church, Kefas Dennis, also expressed frustration over the delayed response from authorities. “The police only arrived around 7 PM, took photographs, and filed a report.
But no arrests were made that night. The next day, they told the family to proceed with the burial.”
Kefas questioned why it took six days for justice to begin. “Why was an innocent woman killed so gruesomely? Why did it take nearly a week before the suspects were arrested?”
To prevent religious tensions, the Catechist urged the Christian community to remain calm and trust the authorities to handle the case. He also reached out to their reverend father, who encouraged peace and patience.
Community Calls for Justice
Residents of Kirfi have demanded that the Bauchi State Government and security agencies ensure justice is served. Many expressed concerns over the rise of jungle justice cases in their communities, calling for stricter enforcement of the law to prevent further tragedies.
Nearly a week after the brutal attack, the police finally apprehended the four suspects. The Catechist confirmed their detention after visiting the police station.
As the investigation continues, the people of Bauchi hope this tragedy serves as a wake-up call to end mob justice and ensure that innocent lives are protected from baseless accusations and violence.
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