Police arrest man over alleged Qur’an desecration in Kebbi

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man, Abubakar Musa, over an alleged plot involving the desecration of a copy of the Holy Qur’an in Zuru Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect, a resident of Rafin Mose Village in Zuru LGA, was arrested in connection with allegations of criminal conspiracy, abuse of religious books, use of spells and hypnosis, and conduct capable of causing public disturbance.

The incident reportedly occurred on August 9, 2026, at about 7pm in the Zango area of Zuru.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, preliminary investigation indicated that Musa allegedly conspired with two other suspects, Rabi’u Tela and Hamza Zango, who are currently at large.

The police said the suspects allegedly dug a pit inside the room of a woman identified as Zarau Hassan and buried a copy of the Qur’an alongside other items.

The items reportedly included semen, white and red kolanuts, underwear, dead animals and other objects described by the police as fetish materials.

The police said the alleged act was intended to make Hassan more submissive to her husband, Tela.

The Command said the circumstances surrounding the alleged act were capable of causing a breach of peace among members of the Muslim community.

It said efforts were ongoing to arrest the two fleeing suspects, while Musa remained in police custody pending the conclusion of investigation.

The police said the suspect would be charged to court after the investigation is completed.

The Commissioner of Police, Umar M. Hadejia, said the Command would take action, in accordance with the law, against acts capable of threatening religious harmony and public order.