The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects over an attack on a family in Gobirawa Village, Alkaleri Local Government Area. This follows the allegation that a young man used witchcraft to cause the death of a resident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed the arrests in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, the incident reportedly occurred around 1 am on October 18, two days after the death of 20-year-old Halilu Ahmad on October 16, 2026.
The suspects allegedly stormed the family’s residence armed with machetes and sticks, attacking a 60-year-old man and his 30-year-old son and inflicting multiple injuries on them.
They were also accused of damaging two motorcycles belonging to the family.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the attack was linked to the suspects’ belief that the younger victim was responsible for Ahmad’s death through witchcraft.
The 60-year-old man was initially taken to General Hospital, Alkaleri, for treatment but was later referred to Ihsan Hospital in Bauchi due to the terrible state of his condition.
"The detectives attached to the Alkaleri Division apprehended the suspects following the incident," the statement added.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bauchi, for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the three other suspects still at large,” the statement said.
The commissioner warned residents against acting on unverified accusations of witchcraft or other superstitious beliefs, noting that such claims could lead to violence and the unlawful punishment of innocent people.
He urged residents to report suspicions, disputes and allegations of crime to the police instead of taking the law into their own hands.
The command assured the public it would pursue justice in the case and would not tolerate acts capable of threatening peace and security.
17 arrested after witchcraft accusation triggers family attack in Bauchi