Plateau witchcraft-murder suspects killed in alleged escape bid

Troops from Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) killed two suspects linked to the killing of a couple accused of witchcraft in Tabga/Dogon Ruwa village, Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State, after they allegedly attempted to flee while being moved by security personnel. The suspects were identified as Hussaini Mallam Yusufu, 22, and Ishaku Sule, 24. They had been arrested on November 4, 2026, over alleged terrorist activities and the murders of Abdullah Adamu, 58, and his wife, Habiba Ibrahim, 45, on their farmland in Bashar District. Security analyst Zagazola Makama said initial findings reportedly indicated that Yusufu, Sule and a third suspect whose identity has not been disclosed carried out the killings. According to the investigation, one suspect said during questioning that he had dreamed Habiba Ibrahim was a witch and was planning to attack him, and he cited this as the reason for the attack. The latest incident happened at about 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, when Sector 2 OPEP troops were taking the suspects to Wase town before transferring them to the operation’s headquarters. Sources said one military Hilux vehicle had a small mechanical problem, so the troops stopped to deal with it. During that time, the two suspects allegedly leapt from the vehicle in an escape attempt, and the troops quickly intervened and killed them.