Man Sets 8-Year-Old Ablaze Over Witchcraft Allegations In Jos

A 60-year-old man, identified as
Yakubu Vong, has allegedly set ablaze an eight-year-old girl (names withheld)
at Sabon Layi in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The suspect, who is in police
custody in Jos, allegedly set the girl ablaze while urging her to confess her
involvement in witchcraft for which she was accused. The suspect was said to have
lured the girl to his house where he allegedly forced the girl to confess to
being a witch.

It was learned that the girl’s
refusal infuriated him and prompted him to bathe her with fuel and set her
ablaze, claiming she was a witch.

However, one James Bamu, who is
an uncle to the deceased girl, said the girl was innocent, wondering if the
suspect had any proof that the girl was a witch.

He described the act as barbaric
and demanded that the law deal decisively with the suspect to serve as
deterrence to others practising such an evil act.

The girl, who was rushed to the
hospital after the incident, died as the result of the burns she suffered.

State Police Public Relations
Officer, Emmanuel Abuh, who confirmed the incident, described the situation as
sad.

He added that the suspect was
already in police custody and that investigations were on.

Vanguard