A 75-year-old woman has suffered life altering injuries after being brutally attacked by suspected hoodlums in Din Ga Allah community, Mayo Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The attack, believed to be motivated by accusations of witchcraft, left the elderly woman with a severed hand, a deep breast laceration, and a dislocated leg.
The assailants reportedly broke into her home at night, dragged her from her bed, and carried out the savage assault.
In the process, her niece who lived in an adjacent room was also attacked. According to reports, the young woman’s eyes were removed using a machete by the same perpetrators.
The horrific incident has drawn widespread condemnation and reignited concerns about mob justice and harmful traditional beliefs in rural communities.
Responding, the incident, the Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Sulaiman Yahaya Nguroje, confirmed the incident and disclosed that several suspects have been apprehended.
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He assured the public that they are currently in police custody and that investigations are ongoing.
“This is a tragic and unacceptable act,” Nguroje stated. “The Commissioner of Police, Morris Dankombo, has strongly condemned the incident and has directed that the suspects be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Nguroje urged residents to remain calm, assuring that justice will be pursued and that law enforcement is committed to ensuring safety across the state.
Authorities also emphasized that accusations of witchcraft are not a justification for violence and must be addressed through legal and ethical means.
The victims are currently receiving medical care, while advocacy groups have called for urgent interventions to protect the rights and safety of vulnerable populations, especially elderly women frequently targeted under such suspicions.
As investigations continue, the police have vowed to bring all perpetrators to justice and warned against any further acts of jungle justice in the state.
