In a significant ruling, a Nigerian court sentenced five men to death by hanging following the brutal murder of a 67-year-old woman accused of witchcraft. This case has sparked national discussions on the dangers of witchcraft allegations within rural communities.
Death Sentences for Witchcraft Murder in Nigeria's Kano State
Death Sentences for Witchcraft Murder in Nigeria's Kano State
Five men are sentenced to death for the murder of Dahare Abubakar, accused of witchcraft, igniting debates about rural accusations leading to violence.
In a landmark judgment in Nigeria's Kano state, five men have been sentenced to death by hanging for the 2023 murder of Dahare Abubakar, a 67-year-old woman who was accused of witchcraft. The accused reportedly attacked Ms. Abubakar while she was working on her farm, subsequently beating and stabbing her to death.
The indecent act was reported by Ms. Abubakar's family, leading to the swift arrest of the suspects in a village located about 45 kilometers (28 miles) from the city of Kano, which is the largest urban area in northern Nigeria. This case has drawn nationwide attention and sparked critical discussions regarding the prevalence of violence stemming from witchcraft accusations in rural Nigeria.
Judge Usman Na'abba, in delivering the verdict, stated that the prosecution had convincingly proven its case against the five men. Prosecutor Abba Sorondiki expressed hope that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to others who falsely accuse individuals of witchcraft and engage in vigilante justice.
The court disclosures indicated that the tragic murder was prompted by a dream experienced by the sick wife of one of the perpetrators, Abdulaziz Yahaya, in which she was chased by Ms. Abubakar holding a knife. This led Yahaya to gather a group that confronted and ultimately killed Ms. Abubakar.
While occurrences of such killings have been reported before, Mr. Sorondiki highlighted that this marked a historic case where multiple individuals were sentenced to death for murder linked to witchcraft allegations.
Musa Yahaya, the victim's son, described the day of his mother's murder as the darkest of his life. He expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, believing it was a step toward justice.
Defense attorney Ma'aruf Yakasai announced that his clients intend to appeal the ruling. While the death penalty is infrequently enforced in Nigeria, convicted individuals often languish for life on death row. As this case unfolds, it reflects broader societal issues surrounding the dangerous effects of witchcraft accusations in Nigerian rural communities.
