BAUCHI, Nigeria — A seven-year-old girl in Magama Gumau, Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, has been hospitalised after her brother’s wife allegedly burnt her private part with a hot knife in an attack linked to accusations of witchcraft.
The suspect, identified as Suwaira Ibrahim, reportedly acted after her own child claimed to have seen the victim, known only as Habiba, “among a group of witches.”
According to a local activist, Kabiru Mohammed Abdulkadir, Suwaira took the child to a man to verify the allegation.
“The man told them that she is not a witch, but Suwaira disagreed with the confirmation,” Abdulkadir said.
“They returned home from where they went and put a knife or spoon on fire to burn her private part — believing that if she’s a real witch, she wouldn’t feel pain.”
Neighbours intervened after hearing the child’s cries.
Abdulkadir said the girl’s injuries had caused severe complications.
“Her private part and laps were burnt and progressed to rot. The smell from the wound disturbs the whole household while she finds it difficult to defecate and pass urine,” he added.
A video seen by reporters showed visible burns on the child’s body.
She has since been transferred to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi for urgent treatment.
Police in Bauchi confirmed the incident.
Command spokesperson CSP Ahmed Wakil said the case was initially reported at Toro Division before being escalated to the state headquarters.
“We are aware of it. Initially, some people wanted to cover up the case and handle it within the community, but we insisted that the case be brought to the Command,” Wakil said.
“We are going to issue a full statement on it as soon as it gets to us.”
The Bauchi Police Command has opened a full investigation into the assault, with a view to prosecuting those responsible.
