Man arrested over Qur’an desecration in Kebbi

A 29-year-old man, Abubakar Musa, has been arrested in Kebbi State over an alleged attempt to desecrate the Holy Qur’an as part of a ritual intended to make a woman more submissive to her husband.

Musa, a resident of Rafin Mose Village in Zuru Local Government Area, was allegedly involved in burying a copy of the Qur’an alongside various items in a pit dug inside a woman’s room in Zango, Zuru.

The incident reportedly occurred around 7pm on August 9, 2026.

According to the Kebbi State Police Command, preliminary investigation indicated that Musa allegedly acted alongside two other suspects, identified as Rabi’u Tela, husband of Zarau Hassan, and Hamza Zango, who are currently at large.

The suspects allegedly buried the Qur’an with semen, white and red kolanuts, underwear, dead animals and other items described as fetish materials.

The alleged ritual was reportedly intended to make Zarau Hassan “more submissive” to her husband, Tela.

The discovery has raised concerns over the potential for the alleged desecration to trigger religious tension and a breach of public peace in the predominantly Muslim community.

The police said Musa is being held while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the two fleeing suspects.

He is expected to be charged after the conclusion of the investigation over alleged criminal conspiracy, abuse of religious books, use of spells and hypnosis, and inciting disturbance.

Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, condemned the alleged act and warned against actions capable of provoking religious tension or threatening peaceful coexistence.