Police in Bauchi State have arrested 17 men over a violent night-time attack on a family accused of witchcraft. The attack happened in Gobirawa Village, Alkaleri Local Government Area.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Monday. He said the suspects face charges of criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, house trespass, intimidation, mischief and attempted culpable homicide.
What Happened
According to police, the attackers struck at about 1 am on October 18, 2026. They stormed the home of a 60-year-old man in Gwana District, armed with machetes and sticks.
They allegedly beat the man’s son, Abubakar, leaving him with multiple fractures on his left hand and leg. Another son, aged 30, was also injured. The mob damaged two motorcycles belonging to the family.
Investigators say the trigger was the death of a 20-year-old man, Halilu Ahmad, two days earlier. The suspects blamed the family’s son for the death, claiming he used witchcraft.
Arrests and Investigation
Detectives from the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters arrested the 17 suspects at about 3 pm on the same day. They are aged between 18 and 50.
Police say three other suspects are still on the run. They are Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje and Yakubu Umaru.
The injured father was first taken to the General Hospital in Alkaleri. His condition later worsened, so doctors referred him to Ihsan Hospital in Bauchi. Police now say the case amounts to attempted culpable homicide.
Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu has moved the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi. He wants the fleeing suspects caught and everyone found guilty prosecuted.
The commissioner condemned jungle justice driven by unproven superstitious beliefs. He warned that the command will not tolerate acts that threaten law and order. He also urged residents to report grievances to the authorities instead of taking the law into their own hands.
