The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspects over separate incidents involving the alleged strangulation of a four-month-old baby and the killing of a 60-year-old woman accused of witchcraft.

The incidents occurred on September 24, 2026, in Zirami, Azare, and Wasari Village in Gadau District of the state.

In the first case, police said a 20-year-old mother reported at the Azare Divisional Police Headquarters around 10 p.m. that her four-month-old daughter, Fatimah Muhammad, had been found lifeless.

The mother reportedly told investigators that she had left the baby asleep at home while she went to a neighbour’s house to have her hair done.

According to the police, she returned shortly afterwards and found the child unresponsive. She also allegedly saw her 27-year-old husband, Muhammad Garba Ladan, coming out of the room.

The woman further alleged that her husband had previously made unsuccessful attempts to kill the infant.

Police detectives took the baby to General Hospital, Azare, where a doctor confirmed that she had died from strangulation.

The husband was subsequently arrested and is being investigated in connection with the child’s death.

In a separate incident, police received information that 25-year-old Haruna Amadu had allegedly entered the residence of 60-year-old Hafsatu Ya’u in Wasari Village.

The suspect was accused of attacking the woman after allegedly accusing her of witchcraft and blaming her for the illness of a woman identified as Maryam Amadu.

Police said the victim sustained severe injuries to her neck, chest and other parts of her body during the attack.

She was rushed to General Hospital, Azare, for treatment but was later pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and taken into custody.

The police command said both cases are under investigation and would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned killings linked to witchcraft allegations as well as violence against women and children.

He urged members of the public to avoid taking the law into their own hands and instead report suspected criminal activities to the appropriate authorities.