17 arrested over violent witchcraft allegation in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects over an alleged violent attack on a family over accusations of witchcraft in Gobirawa Village, Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.

All suspects were arrested in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, house trespass, intimidation, attempted culpable homicide and mischief.

Confirming the arrest, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, said in a statement that the incident occurred at about 1 am on October 18, 2026, in Gobirawa Village, Gwana District, Alkaleri Local Government Area.

According to the statement, the suspects allegedly conspired with three others, identified as Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje, and Yakubu Umaru, who are currently at large, to invade the residence of a 60-year-old man.

The police said the attackers allegedly assaulted the victim’s son, Abubakar, whose other names were withheld, inflicting multiple fractures on his left hand and leg, alongside other injuries.

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

The statement read, “The suspects conspired with three others now at large, Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje and Yakubu Umaru. They criminally trespassed into the house and premises of a 60-year-old man of the same address, armed with machetes and sticks.”

The police explained that preliminary investigations linked the attack to the death of a 20-year-old man, Halilu Ahmad, on October 16, 2026.

The statement added, “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.”

Following the incident, detectives attached to the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters arrested the 17 suspects at about 3pm on October 18.

The suspects were identified as 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.

The police spokesperson said the victim was initially taken to the General Hospital, Alkaleri, but was later referred to Ihsan Hospital, Bauchi, after his health condition deteriorated.

The statement noted that “the case now borders on attempted culpable homicide.”

It further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had directed the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for further investigation.