A 30-year-old man has told Police in Bauchi that he set an underage girl on fire, using kerosene, for allegedly planting charms in his house.

Confirming the development, yesterday, spokesperson for Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakil, said that the accused, Hamza Umar, confessed after his arrest that the victim, Hafsat Bala, invaded his residence in Rafin Albasa area of Bauchi and “walked around the premises”.

The suspect allegedly asked her what brought her into his compound and in response, the girl told him that she was sent by her eldest sister to come and kill him.

Wakil said Umar tried to send her away from his compound, but the victim resisted, claiming that she was asked to bury some charms at the corner of the house.

He added that the suspect further asked the victim to remove what she claimed to have buried in his compound, but she declined. “The suspect became furious at this point and poured kerosene on her and set the girl ablaze in his compound, claiming she was a witch,” the Police said.

The Police spokesperson said a police officer took the victim after the incident to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for medical attention.

He said a discreet investigation has been instituted to unravel the exact circumstances that led to the situation, while the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.

“The Command warned that nobody has the right to treat a human being in such a barbaric manner.

“It is wrong for anyone to assume the position of a law enforcement agency. The suspect should have taken the minor and handed her over to the police or any law enforcement agency saddled with the responsibility of investigation,” he said.