The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects for allegedly launching a violent midnight attack on a family in Gobirawa Village over a witchcraft allegation.
The suspects are being held for alleged criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, house trespass, intimidation, attempted culpable homicide and mischief.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, October 19, 2026.
According to the police, the incident occurred at about 1:00 a.m. on October 18, 2026, in Gobirawa Village, Gwana District, Alkaleri Local Government Area.
The statement revealed that the 17 suspects conspired with three others currently at large — identified as Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje and Yakubu Umaru — to invade the residence of a 60-year-old man, armed with machetes and sticks.
“The suspects conspired with three others now at large. They criminally trespassed into the house and premises of a 60-year-old man of the same address, armed with machetes and sticks,” the statement read.
The attackers allegedly assaulted the victim’s son, Abubakar, inflicting multiple fractures on his left hand and leg. Another 30-year-old son of the family also sustained injuries, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were vandalized.
Preliminary investigation showed the attack was triggered by the death of a 20-year-old man, Halilu Ahmad, on October 16, 2026, which the suspects blamed on witchcraft.
“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,” police said.
Detectives attached to Alkaleri Divisional Headquarters arrested the suspects at about 3:00 p.m. on October 18.
Those arrested are: 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).
Police said the victim was first taken to General Hospital, Alkaleri, but was later referred to Ihsan Hospital, Bauchi, after his condition deteriorated, noting 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 (SCID), Bauchi, for discreet investigation and to ensure the three fleeing suspects are apprehended and prosecuted.
The CP condemned jungle justice and self-help based on superstitious beliefs, warning that the Command “will not tolerate any act capable of causing a breakdown of law and order,” and assured that justice will be served.
He urged residents to report grievances to law enforcement agencies instead of taking the law into their own hands.
