A court in Kano State, Nigeria, has sentenced five men to death by hanging for the brutal murder of 67-year-old Dahare Abubakar, whom they accused of being a witch. The ruling, delivered by Judge Usman Na’abba, highlights the dangers of mob justice and the deep-rooted superstitions that continue to fuel wrongful killings in rural communities.
The incident took place in 2023 in a village 45 kilometers from Kano, northern Nigeria’s largest city. Abubakar was working on her farm when she was attacked, beaten, and fatally stabbed by the convicted men. The attack was reportedly sparked by a dream—one of the accused, Abdulaziz Yahaya, claimed that his ailing wife dreamt of being chased by Abubakar, who was holding a knife. Convinced that she was responsible for his wife’s sickness, Yahaya gathered a group, leading to the deadly assault.
The case sparked nationwide outrage and renewed discussions on how individuals, especially women, are often targeted based on unfounded witchcraft allegations. In many rural communities, misfortunes such as illness or death are sometimes blamed on others, leading to violent retribution without any legal proof.
Prosecutor Abba Sorondiki told the court that the case against the accused was proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Following the ruling, he expressed hope that the sentence would serve as a deterrent against similar acts in the future.
“There have been similar cases like this, but this is the first time we are seeing up to five people sentenced to death for murder over wrongful witchcraft accusations,” Sorondiki stated.
For the victim’s son, Musa Yahaya, the ruling was a step toward justice. “The day my mother was killed was the worst day of my life. I am happy because they would get the same treatment they meted out to my mother,” he said.
Defense lawyer Ma’aruf Yakasai has already indicated plans to appeal the ruling. However, even if the death sentence is upheld, the actual execution remains uncertain. In Nigeria, the death penalty is rarely carried out, with many convicted individuals spending years on death row.
While this case has led to a landmark ruling, it also underscores the urgent need for legal reforms and public education to prevent future acts of mob violence driven by superstition and baseless accusations.