A 28-year-old suspected ritualist identified as Rufa’I Yunusa has been arrested by the operatives of Bauchi State Police Command for allegedly killing four little children between the ages of 2 – 4yrs for ritual purposes.
This was contained in a statement released by the police public relations officer in the state, Mohammed Wakil.
According to the statement, Yunusa who is a native of Rumbu Village, Ningi Local Government was arrested after a complaint lodged at the Ganjuwa Division of the State Command by one Isyaku Ahmed.
On Tuesday, February 16, Ahmed reported that one Maimuna Isyaku to a Native Doctor (Rufa’i Yunusa) for traditional treatment where the said Rufa’i told him that his daughter (Maimuna) is suffering from a spiritual ailment and assured him that his daughter will be cured.
”He then solicited for, and got the sum of N10,000 from the father, after which he took the little girl into the forest purportedly for a spiritual healing session only to return after a while to inform the girl’s father that the little girl had mysteriously disappeared during the process.
On receipt of the report, the Ganjuwa Divisional Patrol team swung into action, combed the entire forest and found the slaughtered body of the said Maimuna.
She was immediately rushed to a hospital where she was pronounced dead by a Medical Doctor.
The ritualist (Rufa’i Yunusa) has since been arrested in connection to the crime and during interrogation voluntarily confessed to have slaughtered the said Maimuna.
He further revealed that she was not his only victim and claims to usually carry out the act with parental consent by tacitly informing them that the children may not return during healing sessions.”Wakil said in a statement released
Wakil added that a knife and 26 pairs of children’s clothing were recovered as exhibits during the operation. He added that further investigation is ongoing after which the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution/possible conviction.