Hadiza Umaru was reported missing on December 1, 2024. Despite extensive efforts to locate her, her whereabouts remained unknown until recent developments revealed a tragic turn of events.
The Niger State Police Command has arrested Habibu Umaru and two others in connection with the alleged murder of Hadiza in the Bosso Local Government Area. Investigations uncovered that Habibu, Hadiza’s brother, lured her to a herbalist, Aliyu Mallam Taiwe, under false pretenses.
According to police reports, Taiwe and his accomplice, Rabiu Aliyu, admitted to administering a poisonous substance to Hadiza, claiming it was intended to treat “evil spirits.” Tragically, the substance caused her death. The suspects then buried her body in a shallow grave within Taiwe Forest near Maitumbi.
During a search of the area, police discovered three additional shallow graves, suggesting a pattern of similar crimes.
On Thursday, the suspects were paraded at the police headquarters in Minna, where the Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Shawulu Danmamman, detailed the investigation. He stated, “On December 5, 2024, a missing person’s report was filed with the Crack-Squad Unit. It was reported that Hadiza Umaru, a resident of Garatu in Bosso, had been missing since December 1, 2024, and efforts to locate her had been unsuccessful.”
Danmamman explained that during the investigation, Hadiza’s brother, Habibu, became a primary suspect. Upon his arrest, Habibu confessed to taking Hadiza to the herbalist. “The herbalist, Aliyu Mallam Taiwe, and his accomplice, Rabiu Aliyu, admitted to giving the victim a poisonous substance. They claimed it was part of a ritual to treat evil spirits, but she died instantly,” Danmamman said.
The suspects further confessed to stripping Hadiza of her clothes before burying her in a shallow grave. Police investigations also revealed the existence of three additional graves in the same forest, believed to be connected to similar killings.
CP Danmamman assured the public that the investigation is ongoing and that the suspects will face prosecution once the case is concluded.
