17 People Arrested Over Witchcraft Attack in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police have arrested 17 people for attacking a family after claims of witchcraft in Gobirawa Village, Alkaleri Local Government Area.

The suspects face charges like criminal conspiracy, defamation, house trespass, intimidation, attempted homicide, and mischief.

SP Nafiu Habib, the Police Public Relations Officer, shared this information in a statement on Monday. The attack happened around 1 am on October 18, 2026, in Gobirawa Village, Gwana District, Alkaleri Local Government Area.

The statement mentioned that the suspects worked with three others, named as Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje, and Yakubu Umaru, who have not been caught yet. They reportedly invaded the home of a 60-year-old man.

The statement explained, "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."

According to the police, the attackers assaulted the victim's son, Abubakar, whose other names were not given. They caused multiple fractures on his left hand and leg, along with other injuries.

The victim’s 30-year-old son also got hurt, and two motorcycles belonging to the family were damaged during the attack.

Police 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."

After the attack, detectives from the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters arrested the 17 suspects around 3 pm on October 18.

The suspects are 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 first taken to the General Hospital in Alkaleri, but was later sent to Ihsan Hospital in Bauchi when his condition got worse.

The statement pointed out that "the case now borders on attempted culpable homicide."

It also mentioned that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, ordered the case to be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for more investigation.

The commissioner wants to ensure that the fleeing suspects are caught and all guilty parties face justice.

He condemned the use of self-help and jungle justice based on unverified beliefs. He warned that the police "will not tolerate any act capable of causing a breakdown of law and order," and assured victims and the public that justice would be served.

The command encouraged residents to report complaints and suspected crimes to the police rather than taking the law into their own hands.