Plateau: Two Suspects Shot Dead Over Murder of Couple Accused of Witchcraft

A couple were allegedly killed after being accused of witchcraft, and two suspects arrested over the murder have now been shot dead while reportedly trying to escape military custody in Plateau State.

Two suspects arrested over the alleged murder of a couple accused of witchcraft in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State have been shot dead after reportedly attempting to escape from military custody.

The suspects, identified as 22-year-old Hussaini Mallam Yusufu and 24-year-old Ishaku Sule, were arrested on November 4, 2026, over their alleged involvement in terrorist activities and the murder of Abdullah Adamu, 58, and his wife, Habiba Ibrahim, 45.

The couple were allegedly attacked and killed on their farmland in Bashar District.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, preliminary investigations reportedly linked Yusufu, Sule and a third suspect, whose identity had not been disclosed, to the killings.

One of the suspects reportedly told investigators that he had dreamt that Habiba was a witch who was planning to attack him. He allegedly cited the dream as the reason for attacking her.

The latest incident occurred at about 10 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, when troops of Sector 2, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) were transporting the suspects to Wase town for onward transfer to the operation’s headquarters.

Sources said one of the military Hilux vehicles developed a minor mechanical fault while the suspects were being transported, forcing the troops to stop and attend to the vehicle.

During the stop, the two suspects allegedly jumped out of the vehicle and attempted to escape.

The troops reportedly responded by shooting at the fleeing suspects, resulting in their deaths.

The incident comes amid renewed concerns over the dangers of witchcraft accusations and mob or vigilante violence, particularly when unverified claims are used to justify attacks against individuals.

This report is based on information attributed to security sources and security analyst Zagazola Makama. The allegations have not been independently verified.