Gov Fintiri Condemns Witchcraft Killings, Consoles Victims’ Families

Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri has implored the people for calm, following recent crisis linked to witchcraft, leading to the death of three persons and burning of many houses in Gyakan, Suwa and Shubo villages of Lamurde local government area of the state

The governor who frowned at the act during his visit to the affected communities on Wednesday, warned that government would not tolerate any form of breakdown of law and order.

Represented by his deputy, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, the governor, appealed to youths and traditional rulers to curb the crisis from escalation by not taking law into their hands.

RELATED: Female Herbalist Kills 3 Over Witchcraft In Adamawa

Professor Farauta noted that adequate security have been deployed to the affected communities to restore law and order in the area.

The deputy governor also directed patients with severe injuries be referred to Modibbo Adama Teaching Hospital Yola for medical attention.

She cautioned, “What you didn’t get when you are living peacefully, you might not have it, when fighting.

“If someone have done you wrong, and you want to do another wrong, it means the wrongs would continue to multiply,” she noted.

Earlier, the health worker in charge of one of the affected areas, Suwa Primary Health Care Centre, Mrs Joy Wilson, confirmed that seven people were admitted at the health facility.

Also, five persons who sustained gunshots were being treated at the Numan General Hospital.

The Principal Medical Officer (PMO) of the facility, Dr Pius Repad said most of the patients who suffered ‘entry and exit’ gun wounds were responding to treatment.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Morris Dankwambo, said the crisis was reported on the on September 14 when one Dogara Sabon Reza and Jeri Dogara reported at Tigno Divisional Police Headquarters that one Salestina Bala 30yrs old, a resident of Kwa village in the same Lamurde local government and her collaborators conspired, tortured and killed three persons accused of witchcraft.

The complainants gave the names of the victims as Lazarus Bashiru, Galion Isa, and Ajasko Yakubu.

The CP disclosed that the woman in question had since been arrested and investigations was ongoing.

One of the victims, Kwalelenka James who took his daughter to the herbalist for malaria treatment, said he was subjected to various torture.

“The herbalist’s boys tied my hands behind my back, tortured me without mercy,” James said.