Witchcraft claim: 17 suspects nabbed over alleged attack on man

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects over an alleged attack on a 60-year-old man and his family following accusations of witchcraft in Gobirawa village, Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.

The attack, which reportedly involved the use of machetes and sticks, occurred at about 1am on October 18, according to a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib.

Habib said the suspects allegedly conspired with three others, identified as Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje and Yakubu Umaru, who are currently at large, to invade the victim’s home.

He said the attackers allegedly assaulted and stabbed one Abubakar, whose other names were withheld, inflicting multiple fractures on his left hand and left leg.

The victim’s 30-year-old son also sustained injuries, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were damaged during the attack.

According to the police spokesman, preliminary investigations indicated that the incident was allegedly triggered by the death of a 20-year-old man, Halilu Ahmad, who died on October 16, 2026, in the same village.

He said the suspects allegedly attributed the death to witchcraft or wizardry by the victim’s son, leading to the attack on the family.

Habib said detectives attached to the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters arrested the 17 suspects at about 3pm on October 18 following a discreet response to the incident.

The suspects were identified as Dayyabu Umar, Malam Sule Muhammadu, Usman Dabo, Umar Suleiman, Aminu Ahmad, Bello Umar, Sani Ibrahim, Abubakar Ayuba, Auwal Abdullahi, Ayuba Ahmad, Halilu Ahmad, Umar Rabi’u, Dauda Rabi’u, Ashiru Alhaji Abdulkarim, Abubakar Lamiru, Adamu Ibrahim and Bashiru Rabi’u.

The police spokesman said the victim was initially taken to the General Hospital Alkaleri, for treatment but was later referred to Ihsan Hospital, Bauchi, following a deterioration in his health condition.

He added that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Bauchi on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, for further investigation and action.

f those found culpable.

The commissioner condemned the resort to self-help and jungle justice based on unverified superstitious beliefs, warning that the command would not tolerate acts capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.

He assured the victims and the public that justice would be pursued and urged residents to report grievances to law enforcement agencies rather than take the law into their own hands.