Two police officers – Inspector Ahmed Suleiman and Constable Mahmood Mohammed – have been dismissed after they were found guilty of killing two women accused of practising witchcraft in Adamawa State.
The officers were tried in an orderly room trial on three counts of discreditable conduct and culpable homicide, of which they were found guilty.
On June 12, 2023, the police in Adamawa State arrested 10 persons, including three police officers and vigilantes over the killing of two women accused of witchcraft.
In a viral video, the women are seen as they were stripped naked and tortured to death over allegations of being witches.
The incident reportedly happened in Roma village in the Song Local Government Area of the state.
The arrested police officers and vigilantes were caught in the video assaulting the women.
Following their arrest, the officers underwent trial which ended today (Wednesday), according to a report by the spokesperson for the police in the state, SP Suleiman Nguroje.
Nguroje, however, explained that Constable Mohammed was officially “de-kitted upon conviction,” while Inspector Suleiman “would be de-kitted at a later date”.
He said, "On 30/8/2023, Adamawa State Police Command tried Inspector Ahmed Suleiman and Police Constable Mahmood Muhammed formally attached to Dumne Divisional Police Headquarters, in an orderly room trial.
"The men were tried on three-count charges, discreditable conduct to wit defamation of character, culpable homicide and unlawful exercise of authority contrary to paragraph 'E'(I)(iii) and 'Q'(I) (iii) of First Schedule of Police Act and Regulations, Section 370, 2020 as Amended.
"The Command found them guilty as charged and recommended the punishment of dismissal for both defaulters, they are to be charged to court alongside other co-suspects.
The Constable has been de-kit while the Inspector will be de-kit at a later date after fulfilling some administrative procedures.
"The Commissioner of Police, Afolabi Babatola warned officers and men of the command to be punctual and shun all Offences against discipline."