The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 men over an alleged violent attack on a 60-year-old man and his family in Gobirawa Village, Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state, following accusations of witchcraft.
The suspects are being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, house trespass, intimidation, attempted culpable homicide and malicious damage.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, explaining that the suspects allegedly acted in concert with three other individuals who are currently at large.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 1am on October 18, 2026, in Gobirawa Village, Gwana District, Alkaleri LGA.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly invaded the residence of the 60-year-old victim while armed with machetes and sticks.
During the attack, the victim, identified as Abubakar, reportedly sustained multiple fractures to his left hand and leg, alongside other injuries to different parts of his body.
His 30-year-old son was also injured, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were allegedly damaged during the assault.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the attack was allegedly triggered by the death of a 20-year-old man, Halilu Ahmad, who died on October 16, 2026.
The police said the suspects allegedly accused the victim’s son of being responsible for the death through witchcraft or wizardry.
Following the incident, detectives attached to the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters reportedly arrested the 17 suspects at about 3pm on October 18.
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The arrested suspects, all male and residents of Gobirawa Village, are aged between 18 and 50.
The police further disclosed that the victim was initially taken to the General Hospital, Alkaleri, for treatment but was later referred to Ihsan Hospital, Bauchi, after his health condition deteriorated.
The case has consequently been treated as one involving alleged attempted culpable homicide.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for a thorough investigation.
The directive, according to the command, is also aimed at tracking down the three fleeing suspects and ensuring that all those found culpable are prosecuted.
The commissioner condemned the alleged attack, warning against resorting to jungle justice and taking the law into one’s hands based on unverified superstitious beliefs.
He assured the victims and the public that the command would pursue justice, adding that acts capable of disrupting public peace would not be tolerated.
The police urged residents to report suspected crimes and grievances to the appropriate law enforcement authorities rather than resorting to violence or taking the law into their own hands.