A 55-year-old hunter, Yusuf Garba, also known as Gana, has been arrested by the Adamawa State Police for allegedly digging up his stepfather’s grave and decapitating the body.
Confirming the arrest, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, stated that Garba confessed to the crime during interrogation. According to Garba, he was pressured by his stepfather’s son, who allegedly wanted the head for ritual purposes after the father’s death.
Garba, from Tappare Kona Uku in Jada Local Government Area, explained that the deceased’s son had initially tried to take the body to Jalingo in Taraba State for burial but was stopped. A year later, the son returned, demanding the head for traditional rites. Fearing harm from the son, whom he believed to be a witch, Garba claimed he felt compelled to comply.
“I took a hoe around 4:00 am, went to the graveyard, dug the grave, and cut off the head,” Garba confessed. He then placed the head in a polythene bag and handed it over to the son.
Garba further explained that two weeks later, the deceased’s wife came to him, complaining of disturbing dreams since the head had been kept in their bedroom. In response, Garba said he performed a ritual to stop the dreams.
SP Nguroje confirmed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Morris Dankombo, has ordered a thorough investigation and prosecution of the suspect.
