The police command in Niger State has arrested three suspects for allegedly murdering Tani Nuhu, a 65-year-old woman, inside a house in Kokolo village in the Nasko area of the state.

This was disclosed by Wasiu Abiodun, the command’s spokesperson, in a statement on Thursday.  He said the incident occurred on Saturday.

According to him, Mohammed Sani, a resident of Kebbi State, allegedly trespassed into a community member’s residence and killed the victim.

“On receipt of the report, detectives from Nasko Div were deployed to the scene and in the course of investigation,” Mr Abiodun said.

The suspects were identified as Mohammed Sani, 35, from Kebbi State; Isa Lamaran, 65, of Kokolo village in Auna District and Abdullahi Hamidu, also of the same address.

“During interrogation, Mohammed revealed that he was contracted and invited as a wizard who can detect witches by Isa Lamaran, Hamidu and one other suspect, Rufa’i Gado of Kokolo village currently at large, to kill three elderly women in the community over allegations that they were witches,” he said.

The police said the suspect confessed that Mr Lamaran gave him a hoe to use in carrying out the attack, while Mr Hamidu allegedly promised to give him two plots of land and his daughter’s hand in marriage if he succeeded.

Mr Abiodun said Mr Sani succeeded in killing one victim, identified as Ms Tani, and seriously injured another before his arrest.

He added that the suspects were being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation, with efforts underway to arrest another accomplice.

He said the suspects would be charged with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt.