Man Arrested in Adamawa for Digging Up Stepfather’s Corpse, Beheading It for Ritual

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a 55-year-old hunter, Yusuf Garba, for allegedly exhuming the corpse of his stepfather and cutting off the head for ritual purposes.

Spokesperson for the command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the arrest on Friday, stating that the suspect, who hails from Tappare Kona Uku in Jada Local Government Area, confessed to the crime during police interrogation.

According to Nguroje, Garba claimed that the biological son of the deceased approached him, demanding his late father’s head for a ritual.

The suspect explained that after his stepfather’s death, the son had attempted to transport the corpse to Jalingo, Taraba State, for burial, but the request was rejected by other family members.

“A year after the burial, the deceased’s son came to me and insisted that I retrieve the head for traditional rites,” Garba reportedly told the police. “He pressured me, and out of fear, I had no choice but to comply.”

Detailing the act, Garba admitted: “Around 4:00 a.m., I took a hoe, went to the graveyard, dug up the grave, and cut off the head. I then placed it in a polythene bag and handed it over to the son, who collected it and left.”

He further claimed that he complied out of fear, alleging that the deceased’s son was involved in witchcraft and could harm him or his children if he refused.

Garba also disclosed that two weeks after the act, the widow of the deceased, whom the son had inherited as a wife, began experiencing disturbing dreams. To address her fears, he performed another ritual.

“She complained that she was having terrible dreams since the head was kept in their bedroom,” Garba said.

“So, I asked her to bring a chicken. I went back to the grave, slaughtered the chicken, and poured its blood on the decomposed body to stop the dreams. After that, I cooked and ate the chicken.”

Garba revealed that the incident occurred about four years ago, but a dispute with a man identified as Benjamin Jatau led to the police becoming involved. Jatau later reported the matter, prompting Garba’s arrest.

Nguroje stated that Commissioner of Police, CP Morris Dankombo, has ordered a discreet investigation into the case, assuring that all those involved will be prosecuted accordingly.