Bauchi: Police Arrest 17 After Witchcraft Claim Triggers Family Attack

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects over an alleged attack on a family following accusations of witchcraft, which left a man with multiple fractures to his left hand and leg.

The attack occurred at about 1am on October 18 in Gobirawa Village, Gwana District, Alkaleri Local Government Area, after the suspects allegedly blamed a member of the family for the death of a 20-year-old man.

The police spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the suspects were arrested over alleged criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, house trespass, intimidation, attempted culpable homicide and mischief.

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

The attackers were reportedly armed with machetes and sticks when they stormed the house and assaulted the victim’s son, identified only as Abubakar.

The police said the victim sustained multiple fractures to his left hand and leg, alongside other injuries, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were damaged during the attack.

“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,” the statement read.

Detectives attached to the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters arrested the 17 suspects at about 3pm on October 18, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the three fleeing suspects.

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

The command added that the case now bordered on attempted culpable homicide.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation.

Habib said the move was aimed at ensuring the arrest of the fleeing suspects and the prosecution of everyone found culpable.

The commissioner condemned the resort to violence and jungle justice based on unverified allegations of witchcraft.

He warned that the command would not tolerate acts capable of disrupting public order and urged residents to report grievances and suspected criminal activities to law enforcement agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.