By Paul Joseph
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects over an alleged violent attack on a 60-year-old man and his family in Gobirawa Village, Gwana District, Alkaleri Local Government Area, following accusations of witchcraft.
The suspects were allegedly involved in an attack triggered by the death of a 20-year-old man, Halilu Ahmad, whose death was reportedly attributed to witchcraft by the son of the victim.
According to the police, the incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. on October 18, 2026, when the suspects, allegedly acting in concert with three others who are still at large, invaded the victim’s residence armed with machetes and sticks.
During the attack, the 60-year-old man, identified as Abubakar, was stabbed and sustained multiple fractures to his left hand and leg, alongside other injuries. His 30-year-old son was also injured, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were damaged.
The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the violence followed the death of Halilu Ahmad, who died on October 16, 2026.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, said detectives attached to the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters arrested the 17 suspects at about 3:00 p.m. on October 18 following a discreet operation.
The suspects, all male residents of Gobirawa Village, are being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, house trespass, intimidation, attempted culpable homicide and mischief.
The police did not disclose the identities of the three suspects still at large but said efforts were ongoing to apprehend them.
The injured victim was initially taken to General Hospital, Alkaleri, before being referred to Ihsan Hospital in Bauchi for further treatment after his condition deteriorated.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bauchi for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those found culpable.
The commissioner condemned the resort to jungle justice and violence based on unverified superstitious beliefs, warning that the command would not tolerate actions capable of disrupting public peace and security.
He assured the victims and the public that justice would be pursued, urging residents to report grievances and suspected criminal activities to law enforcement agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.
The police also called on members of the public to reject violence arising from unsubstantiated allegations and allow the appropriate authorities to investigate and resolve disputes.
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