Police Arrest Fake Pharmacist, Housewife, Herbalist, and Sons Over Child Abuse and Medical Negligence in Bauchi
Story: written by Daniel September 19,2025
Police spokesperson Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, in a statement issued Friday on behalf of Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu, confirmed the arrests and said investigations are ongoing.
The first case involved a 27-year-old man, Ibrahim Hassan Mamman, who runs Hamdala Special Medicine Store in Yelwa, Bauchi metropolis. Mamman, who is not a licensed pharmacist or doctor, was accused of administering unprescribed injections to 15-year-old Maryam Magaji, which caused severe health complications.
Investigations revealed that on July 1, 2025, the victim’s brother took her to Mamman’s store for treatment of suspected malaria and typhoid. He gave her an 80mg intramuscular injection for three days, but two weeks later, the injection site began to rot. Despite the worsening condition, Mamman reassured her brother until she was rushed to Bayara Hospital, where doctors confirmed the injuries were caused by the injection.
A police search uncovered several expired drugs, including Children’s Tuxil syrup (expired August 2024) and Tuxil suspension (expired May 2025), alongside other near-expiry medicines. The suspect is in custody, and the case has been transferred to the State CID for prosecution.
In a separate case, police arrested a housewife, Zuwaira Hassan, for allegedly torturing her 10-year-old sister-in-law by burning her private parts with a heated spoon on suspicion of witchcraft.
The incident occurred on September 8, 2025, in Magama Gumau, Toro LGA. According to police, Zuwaira’s children claimed they had nightmares involving the girl, prompting her to consult a herbalist, Fatima Abdullahi, who demanded ₦150,000 for “witch protection,” but later accepted ₦40,000.
The next day, Zuwaira tied up the child with the help of her sons, Umar Ibrahim and Abubakar Ibrahim, and pressed a hot spoon into her private parts. During interrogation, Zuwaira admitted acting on the herbalist’s advice. The victim is currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Toro.
The Commissioner of Police has ordered full investigations and promised that all suspects will be charged to court.
The police also cautioned parents and guardians against patronizing quacks or traditional healers for children’s health, urging them to seek proper medical care from qualified professionals.
