Hunted to death: Brutal fate of vulnerable women branded witches
Vulnerable women in Nigeria face brutal fates, hunted and killed over baseless witchcraft accusations. This report exposes the human cost of superstition. Read More: https://punchng.com/hunted-to-death-brutal-fate-of-vulnerable-women-branded-witches/
In a tragic incident that highlights the dangers of superstition, 30-year-old Habse Ubale was brutally murdered by a group of men who accused her of being a witch. The attack took place in Garin Malam Village, Bauchi State, Nigeria, on July 28, 2026, in the early hours of the morning. Ubale's husband, Audu Sabo, and their two children, Yakubu and Salih, managed to escape the brutal assault but sustained injuries.
The Bauchi State Police Command reported the incident to the local authorities, who deployed a team of officers to the scene. One suspect was arrested, while the other two fled the area. This case is not an isolated incident, as witchcraft accusations are not uncommon in Nigeria, often targeting elderly women and widows. Despite a UN Human Rights Council resolution condemning such violations, these allegations persist across Africa and even in other countries like India and Papua New Guinea.
In 2023, the Pan-African Parliament issued guidelines to protect vulnerable groups from witchcraft accusations, urging member states to criminalize related violence and killings. However, despite Nigeria's membership in the African Union since 1963, such incidents continue to occur in several regions of the country.
Written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
