A Zamfara woman, Khadija Abdullah, has reportedly come under attack and been arrested after community members accused her of engaging in witchcraft and forbidden spiritual practices.
Abdullah was reportedly picked up by operatives of the Zamfara State Hisbah Commission in Gusau following complaints from community leaders about activities allegedly taking place at her residence.
The Advocacy for Alleged Witches, which raised the alarm over the incident, said Hisbah officials raided Abdullah’s apartment and found a woman receiving treatment for an undisclosed spiritual ailment.
The group said Abdullah told her interrogators that she provided spiritual treatment to people and believed she herself was possessed by spirits.
She was also said to have used perfumes and prayers as part of her spiritual treatment, including reciting prayers into water before administering it to people seeking remedies.
But the reported action against Abdullah has triggered outrage, with rights advocates accusing the authorities of persecuting the woman over her spiritual beliefs.
Director of the Advocacy for Alleged Witches, Leo Igwe, questioned the legal basis for the arrest, arguing that witchcraft is not recognised as a criminal offence under Nigerian law.
He also challenged the authority of Hisbah to determine who is a witch or to arrest people over alleged witchcraft activities.
Legal expert Chidi Odinkalu also questioned the powers of Hisbah to pursue people accused of witchcraft.
The controversy has sparked further reactions on social media, with some Nigerians describing the reported action against Abdullah as religious persecution.
Igwe urged the Zamfara authorities to stop what he described as “witch-hunting” and allow Abdullah to practise her spiritual beliefs provided she does not break the law or endanger anyone.
He said Hisbah should operate within the law rather than act as a religious or “witch” police force.
The advocacy group disclosed that it had contacted the National Human Rights Commission and the International Federation of Women Lawyers in Gusau to establish Abdullah’s whereabouts and determine the status of the case.
Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Police Command has urged relatives of a woman allegedly subjected to witchcraft-related abuse to formally report the matter for investigation.
The police said a formal complaint would enable them to investigate the circumstances surrounding the allegations.
The Hisbah Commission, however, reportedly said its action followed complaints from community leaders and that its chairman, Sheikh Umar Hassan Gusau, ordered further investigation to establish the authenticity of the allegations before any action would be taken in accordance with the law.
As the controversy deepens, rights campaigners are demanding protection for Abdullah and an end to the persecution of people accused of witchcraft without due process.
Don’t Miss Out! Join our WhatsApp Channel for instant news updates. Click here to join
