News reaching our news desks indicates that a 60 year old man, identified as Yakubu Vong, allegedly set ablaze an 8 year old girl at Sabon Layi Barkin Ladi on suspicions of witchcraft.

The suspect, who is in police custody in Jos, allegedly set the girl ablaze because he suspected that she was casting spells and bringing infirmity to the community. He was said to have tortured her, using various forms of torture technique in a bid to irk-out a confession.

Reports indicate that the fellow, invited the girl to his house and questioned her about certain  strange behaviours and then tried to forcefully illicit a confirmation that she was indeed a witch.

The girl denied all allegations – a situation which irritating Yakubu, prompting him to escalate his torture techniques until he lost patience and bathe her with fuel and set her ablaze. She sustained third degree burns to various parts of the body, which proved too severe even after she was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

Speaking, James Bamu, the deceased girl’s uncle (who was unconsolable at the news of her murder), he attested the girl’s innocence, saying wicked people like Yakubu should not be allowed to get away with such acts.

He described the act as barbaric and demanded that the law deal decisively with the suspect to serve as deterrence to others practising such an evil act.

State Police Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Abuh, who confirmed the incident, described the situation as sad.

He added that the suspect was already in police custody and that investigations were on.

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Man sets ablaze 8-Year old girl over allegations of witch-craft in Plateau State