The Bauchi State Police have apprehended two men, Ezekiel Simon, aged 18, and Lumana Zakka, aged 29, in connection with the murder of 45-year-old Ezekiel Samaila. Samaila was allegedly killed due to accusations of witchcraft.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson for the Police Command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, provided details of the investigation. According to the statement, Samaila was last seen on September 24, 2024, when he left his home to watch a football game. His lifeless body was discovered the following day along a roadside. Samaila’s motorcycle and phone were missing at the time.

Following the discovery, the police launched a thorough investigation. The breakthrough came when officers found Samaila’s phone in the possession of Ezekiel Simon. During interrogation, Simon confessed to the crime, admitting that he and Lumana Zakka had killed Samaila by striking him with a pestle. Zakka later explained that he had murdered Samaila in retaliation for the deaths of several of his family members, including his mother, two sisters, and two daughters, whom he blamed on Samaila’s alleged witchcraft.

The police also recovered Samaila’s phone and uncovered that the suspects had sold his motorcycle for N400,000. Efforts are currently underway to locate and recover the stolen motorcycle.

Wakil confirmed that the suspects would face charges of murder, robbery, and conspiracy. The Police Command has appealed to the public, urging anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.