Chief, Linguist, 3 others arrested over attack on woman accused of witchcraft at Sumpini

The Dagomba Chief of Sumpini and his linguist have been arrested by the Savannah Regional Police Command for their role in the attack of a 50-year old woman accused of witchcraft.

The two, together with three others were picked up by the police to assist with ongoing investigations.  On Saturday, Maria Ibrahim sustained severe injuries to her skull and legs after being attacked at Sumpini in the West Gonja District of the Savanna Region.

The attack allegedly took place after the Bugum fire festival by a group of men who alleged that she was a witch.

According to her, the men had accused her of being behind the sickness of a young man in her compound.

She told nurses at the West Gonja District Hospital where she was receiving treatement that, although she denied the allegations, her attackers still pursued her with machetes.

The attack on Maria Ibrahim, follows a similar attack on 90-year-old Akua Denteh at Kafaba in the same region.

The old woman had been attacked and beaten to death after a soothsayer accused her of witchcraft and being responsible for the stall in development in the area.

Already, all seven accused persons, including the self-styled traditional priestess, Sirina Mohammed who played a role in the murder of the 90-year-old have been arraigned before the Bole Magistrate Court.

The suspects, five men, and two women were arrested separately by the Savannah Regional Police command from their various hideouts after committing the abominable act.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Sumpini, James Langa together with the Municipal Chief Executive for Gonja West, Muhazuden Saeed Jibreal have expressed shock at the incident.

According to the two, they heard about the incident on Saturday during the fire festival and have since appealed to the police to arrest all culprits involved in the act.

Source:Fiilafmonline/JoyNews