A seven-year-old girl in Magama Gumau, Toro local government area of Bauchi State, is battling severe injuries after she was allegedly brutalised by her brother’s wife, identified as Suwaira Ibrahim.
The woman allegedly burnt the child’s private part with a hot knife.
According to reports, the minor (name withheld) was accused of witchcraft by her brother’s wife.
A resident and child rights activist in the area, Kabiru Mohammed Abdulkadir, told journalists yesterday that the incident began when Suwaira’s daughter claimed she had seen the victim among a group of witches.
“She was taken to a man to verify the claim, and he told them clearly that the girl was not a witch. But Suwaira rejected his confirmation. On returning home, she heated a knife or spoon and burnt the girl’s private part, insisting that if she were truly a witch, she would not feel pain,” Abdulkadir said.
The child’s loud cries reportedly attracted neighbours, who intervened and insisted that the case be reported to the police.
In a disturbing video obtained by our correspondent, the girl’s private part and thighs were visibly burnt, with the wounds already decaying.
Abdulkadir said the condition had left the victim unable to urinate or defecate properly, while the stench from the wounds was affecting the household.
The victim has been taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi for urgent medical treatment.
Confirming the incident, the police public relations officer (PPRO) in Bauchi, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, said the case was first reported at Toro Division before being transferred to the state headquarters for proper investigation and prosecution.
“We are aware of the matter. Initially, some people wanted to cover it up and handle it at the community level, but we insisted it must be reported to the command. A full statement will be issued as soon as the case gets to us,” Wakil stated.
