The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects over an alleged attack on a family in Gobirawa Village, Alkaleri Local Government Area, following accusations that the family was responsible for a young man’s death through witchcraft.
The suspects are being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, house trespass, intimidation, attempted culpable homicide and mischief.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the incident occurred around 1am on October 18, 2026, in Gobirawa Village, Gwana District, Alkaleri Local Government Area.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly joined forces with three other individuals, identified as Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje and Yakubu Umaru, who are currently at large, to invade the residence of a 60-year-old man.
The statement read, “The suspects conspired with three others now at large, Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje and Yakubu Umaru. They criminally trespassed into the house and premises of a 60-year-old man of the same address, armed with machetes and sticks.”
During the alleged attack, the assailants reportedly assaulted the victim’s son, identified only as Abubakar, leaving him with multiple fractures to his left hand and leg, as well as other injuries.
The victim’s 30-year-old son was also injured, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were allegedly damaged.
The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the attack was linked to the death of 20-year-old Halilu Ahmad, who died on October 16, 2026.
According to the statement, the suspects allegedly accused the victim’s son of using witchcraft or wizardry to cause Ahmad’s death.
The statement added, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the attack was allegedly triggered by the death of one Halilu Ahmad, male, 20 years old, of the same address, on October 16, 2026, which the suspects attributed to witchcraft or wizardry by the son of the victim.”
Following the incident, detectives from the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters arrested the 17 suspects at about 3pm on October 18.
The suspects were identified as Dayyabu Umar, 18; Malam Sule Muhammadu, 50; Usman Dabo, 20; Umar Suleiman, 22; Aminu Ahmad, 18; Bello Umar, 20; Sani Ibrahim, 18; Abubakar Ayuba, 25; Auwal Abdullahi, 22; Ayuba Ahmad, 30; Halilu Ahmad, 22; Umar Rabi’u, 18; Dauda Rabi’u, 20; Ashiru Alhaji Abdulkarim, 20; Abubakar Lamiru, 25; Adamu Ibrahim, 22; and Bashiru Rabi’u, 20.
The police spokesperson said the injured victim was initially taken to the General Hospital in Alkaleri for treatment but was later transferred to Ihsan Hospital in Bauchi after his condition deteriorated.
Habib noted that the case had become more serious, stating that “the case now borders on attempted culpable homicide.”
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation.
The police said the move was aimed at ensuring the arrest of the fleeing suspects and the prosecution of anyone found culpable.
Aliyu condemned the use of violence and jungle justice over unverified superstitious beliefs, warning that the command would not tolerate actions capable of disrupting public peace.
He assured the victims and residents that justice would be pursued and urged members of the public to report disputes and suspected criminal activities to the appropriate authorities instead of taking the law into their own hands.
