From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
A 100-year old suspected woman ritualist, Furera Abubakar, Isah Hassan (17) and Sani Abdulrahman (16) have been arrested by the police in Kano for allegedly plucking off the right eye-ball of 12-year old Mustapha Yunusa, described as Almajiri, for “appear and disappear” charms.
The Spokesman of Kano state Police Command, Superintendent of Police, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who gave the hint to journalists in Kano on Wednesday, said the Almajiri was lured into a hidden corner at Rimin Hamza Quarters in Taurani Local Government Area, where his tormentors allegedly plucked off his left eye-ball at the orders of Furera.
According to the Police Spokesman, “on March, 20, 2022, a report was received from a resident of Sheka Dantsinke Quarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area Kano, that an unknown person took one Mustapha Yunusa (12) to Rimin Hamza Quarters, Tarauni Local Government Area, Kano State, used a sharp knife and removed his right eyeball and fled with it to an unknown destination. “On receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State
Command, CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, fsi raised and instructed a team of Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Alfa N. Muhammad, Divisional Police Officer, Sheka Division to proceed to the scene.
“The team immediately went to the scene and rushed the victim to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano, where a Medical Doctor confirmed that the eyeball of the victim was forcefully removed using a sharp object, and the victim was admitted to the said Hospital.
“Sustained efforts coupled with prolonged intelligence follow-up led to the arrest of the principal suspect, one Isah Hassan (17) of Dantsinke Layin Rimin Hamza Quarters Tarauni Local Government Area, Kano State, with the help of local Vigilante of Sheka Quarters on the March 29, 2022.
“On investigation, the suspect confessed that he met his friend, Sani Abdulrahman (16), and asked him where he can get a charm that will make him be disappearing whenever he want.
“Sani directed him to his aged grandmother of 100 years old (as she claimed), one Furera Abubakar of the same address.
“The principal suspect further confessed that he met Furera, and she instructed him to bring an eyeball of a human being to her so that he can prepare the charm for him.
“He went and deceived one street beggar (Almajiri), the victim, lured him to a nearby bush tied his hands and forcefully used a sharp knife and plucked his right eyeball.
“He took the eyeball to Furera and she told him to bring N500.
“As he did not have the money, Furera told him to keep it in a safer place and bring it when he get the money.
“He kept it for three days, later he discovered that the eyeball has decayed, and he then threw it away. Furera was subsequently arrested.
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered that the case should be transferred to the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.
“The suspect will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
“CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, FSA warns that criminals will have no hiding place in Kano State.
“They are advised to either repent or leave the State completely, as no stone will be left unturned. Otherwise, they will be arrested and face the full wrath of the Law.
“He thanked the Kano State Government, the good people of the State, other security agencies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Community Policing Stakeholders for their prayers, encouragement, continuous support, and cooperation.
“He urged residents to pray for the State, the nation and report incidences to the nearest Police Station, and not to take laws into their hands. Rigorous patrol, raids of criminal hideouts, and black spots will continue throughout the State, as the Command will sustain the ongoing “Operation Puff Adder” that is yielding positive results. “In case of emergencies, the Command can be contacted via; 08032419754, 08123821575, 08076091271, 09029292926, or log into the “NPF Rescue Me” Application available on the Play Store.”
