In a heartbreaking incident that has left the community of Mista Ali in Jos on a sad state, 18-year-old Ahmed Bala has been arrested for the brutal murder of his grandmother, Mrs. Hauwa Grace Nyam, in February this year. Ahmed, a familiar face in his grandmother’s home, often ate, drank, and spent considerable time there, making the betrayal even more shocking.

The tragedy unfolded on a Thursday when Ahmed broke into his grandmother’s house with the intent to steal a bag of rice from her kitchen. Believing she was out, Ahmed was taken by surprise when Mrs. Grace, who had mentioned she was going out, unexpectedly returned home and caught him in the act. In a desperate and panicked attempt to avoid being recognized, Ahmed grabbed a pestle and struck his grandmother on the head multiple times until she died.

To cover up his crime, Ahmed staged the scene to make it appear as though Mrs. Grace had fallen and hit her head on a stone in the compound. The grim discovery of her body was made on Friday evening, over 24 hours after the murder, when neighbors grew concerned about her absence.

To add to the tragedy, Ahmed was one of the people who helped move Mrs. Grace’s body to her son’s vehicle while pretending to be unaware and shocked. However, suspicion quickly mounted when it was discovered that a bag of rice was missing from her kitchen. An investigation began, and it was determined that Ahmed had sold the rice to a local dealer.

Security forces were alerted, and Ahmed was arrested at his secondary school. Under interrogation, he confessed to the crime, leading to his detainment. The community remains in shock, grappling with the revelation that a trusted family member could commit such a heinous act.

This cold incident serves as an urgent warning of the unexpected dangers that can exist within our own homes. It highlights the importance of vigilance and the heartbreaking reality that sometimes the most significant threats can come from those closest to us. May Almighty God protect us from such hidden enemies. Amen.