A fortune teller, Ahmadu Saminu, also known as Malam Mai Batalia, has been apprehended by the Gombe State Police Command for allegedly impregnating a woman who sought his services for dream interpretation.

Saminu, aged 25 and hailing from Bajoga in the Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State, is renowned for his fortune-telling abilities, catering to clients from various regions.

According to the PUNCH, the incident occurred when a woman visited Saminu seeking interpretation for a troubling dream. However, she was allegedly hypnotized by Saminu during the session and subsequently assaulted.

Confirming the arrest, Gombe State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Buhari Abdullahi, stated, “The victim is 20 years old. Her husband, Bashiru Bello, reported the case. She dreamt about her mother being a witch and needed an interpretation into what she said she saw only for her to visit Saminu to know what she needed to do. But she was lured into his room.”

Regarding the allegation of pregnancy, Abdullahi mentioned, “That is what we can’t say for now until the medical examination result is obtained. However, the victim claimed she was pregnant for four months but bled and, as a result, lost the pregnancy. We have taken the victim to the hospital to ascertain the allegation. But the case is in court.”

Meanwhile, residents of Funakaye expressed discontent over the perceived efforts to secure Saminu’s release. Some residents suggested Saminu’s connections to influential individuals might be influencing the process.

“Mai Batalia has been doing this for long. It is not the first time the police are under pressure to let him out. He consults for some big men, and they want him out of police custody,” remarked a resident identified as Hassan.

Concerns have been raised that releasing Saminu without facing consequences could lead to unrest, with some youths reportedly contemplating retaliatory actions against his property.