Man beheads his brother over alleged witchcraft in Plateau

A High Court in Jos, Plateau State, has ordered the remand of a 25-year-old man in a correctional center for the murder of his brother.

The defendant, Atagan Danladi, allegedly beheaded his brother after accusing him of killing their father through witchcraft.

The police charged Danladi, who resides in Bomo village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau with culpable homicide.

Justice Arum Ashoms, who gave the order on Tuesday, October 12, adjourned the matter until Nov. 16, for hearing. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr. Luka Pam, told the court that the defendant stabbed and beheaded his brother.

The offense, he said, contravened the provisions of Section 221 of the Penal Code and is punishable with death upon conviction.

In a statement to the police which was made available to the court, the defendant said he killed his brother, Timothy, after he confessed to killing their father through witchcraft.

“Our father was sick and was admitted in December 2020. He died after a while and on getting the information of his death, my late brother fled the house. He returned a day later and he was beaten and interrogated, he confessed to killing our father and our niece. I became very angry and disappointed that he could do such a thing. I picked up a knife and stabbed him, when he fell I severed his head.”