Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Authorities in Nasarawa State have arrested two individuals following allegations that an elderly woman from Southern Kaduna was accused of witchcraft by members of her own family, an incident that prompted intervention by community groups and law-enforcement authorities to prevent possible harm to the woman.
The case unfolded in New Karu, a densely populated town in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State that lies on the outskirts of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory. According to community leaders and advocacy groups familiar with the situation, the elderly woman—reported to be of the Ninzo ethnic group from Southern Kaduna—was accused of practicing witchcraft by some of her biological children, an allegation that triggered serious concern among community members and civil society organizations.
The accusations reportedly created tension within the family and raised fears that the woman could face abandonment, eviction or violence, outcomes that have occurred in some cases involving similar allegations in parts of Nigeria. Concerned about her safety, community members alerted organizations representing Southern Kaduna communities living in Abuja and neighbouring states.
The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, widely known as SOKAPU, quickly became involved in the case alongside the Dung Development Community Abuja branch. Representatives from the organizations reportedly travelled to New Karu after receiving reports that the elderly woman had been subjected to accusations by her own children and could be at risk.
Community leaders explained that accusations of witchcraft against elderly individuals can rapidly escalate into abuse or displacement if not addressed quickly. As a result, the organizations coordinated efforts to secure the woman and ensure she was protected while the dispute within the family was examined.
Following the intervention, the elderly woman was reportedly returned safely to her residence on March 1, 2026. Her home is located along Church Road in the New Karu area, opposite Manchester Hotel and Resort, a prominent landmark within the community.
The intervention by the advocacy groups was followed by attempts to mediate the dispute between the elderly woman and her children in order to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. Community leaders sought to resolve the issue peacefully through dialogue rather than allowing tensions to escalate.
As part of these efforts, Alhaji Umar Musa, a Second Class Chief from Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, dispatched a delegation to facilitate mediation. The delegation was led by Amboson and Zinta Musa, who serves as Personal Assistant to the Chairman of Sanga Local Government Area.
The mediation team held a meeting with representatives of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, officials from the Dung Development Community Abuja and members of the woman’s family, including the children who had reportedly made the allegations.
Participants at the meeting hoped the dialogue would restore calm and rebuild trust within the family. However, individuals present at the discussions later indicated that the mediation efforts encountered difficulties.
According to sources familiar with the meeting, the children allegedly remained unwilling to withdraw the accusations or reach a compromise during the negotiations. The discussions reportedly revealed several disputes and grievances within the family that complicated efforts to reach a peaceful settlement.
As the situation intensified and concerns grew about the woman’s safety, law-enforcement authorities were contacted to intervene. Officers of the Nigeria Police Force subsequently stepped in and took control of the case to prevent further escalation.
Police launched an investigation into the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the dispute. As part of that process, two of the woman’s children were reportedly arrested and taken into custody for questioning.
Authorities indicated that the arrests were intended to facilitate investigation into whether the elderly woman had been subjected to intimidation, threats or unlawful treatment in connection with the accusations made against her.
Community leaders involved in the intervention said the primary objective remained ensuring the safety and dignity of the elderly woman while allowing law-enforcement agencies to determine the facts of the case.
Stone Reporters note that accusations of witchcraft against vulnerable individuals—particularly elderly women and children—have been documented in different parts of Nigeria and other African countries. In some instances, such allegations have resulted in physical abuse, social exclusion or forced displacement of the accused.
Human-rights advocates have repeatedly warned that such accusations can have severe consequences if not addressed quickly by community leaders and law-enforcement authorities. International reports have documented cases in which individuals accused of witchcraft faced violence or abandonment by family members and communities.
Because of these risks, civil society groups and traditional leaders increasingly work together to intervene in such disputes, encouraging mediation and legal processes rather than allowing accusations to escalate into harm.
In the Nasarawa case, leaders of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union and the Dung Development Community Abuja branch appealed to the public to remain calm while the police investigation continues.
They also called on community members to promote respect for elders and to resolve family conflicts through lawful and peaceful channels rather than resorting to accusations rooted in superstition.
For the elderly woman at the center of the controversy, the intervention by community groups and law-enforcement authorities appears to have prevented a potentially dangerous escalation. While the investigation continues, she remains under protection, and community leaders say they hope the outcome of the case will reinforce efforts to protect vulnerable individuals from abuse linked to unverified accusations.
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