The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects in connection with a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Defamation of Character, House Trespass, Intimidation, Attempted Culpable Homicide and Mischief, following a violent attack linked to a superstitious allegation of witchcraft in Gobirawa Village.
A statement by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, on Monday, noted that the incident, which underscores the dangerous consequences of jungle justice and harmful traditional beliefs, occurred on 18th October, 2026 at about 0100hrs in Gobirawa Village, Gwana District, Alkaleri LGA.
According to the report, the suspects conspired with three others now at large; as they criminally trespassed into the house and premises of a 60-year-old man of the same address, armed with machetes and sticks.
In the process, they attacked and stabbed one Abubakar, inflicting multiple fractures on his left hand and left leg with several other injuries on his body. His 30-year-old son also sustained injuries, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were damaged.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the attack was allegedly triggered by the death of one Halilu Ahmad ‘m’, 20 years old, of the same address on 16th October, 2026, which the suspects attributed to witchcraft/wizardry by the son of the victim.
Sequel to the incident and following a discreet response, on 18th October, 2026 at about 1500hrs, the Command noted that detectives attached to Alkaleri Division arrested and brought to Divisional Headquarters the following seventeen suspects, all male of Gobirawa Village:
- Dayyabu Umar ‘m’ 18yrs,
- Malam Sule Muhammadu ‘m’ 50yrs,
- Usman Dabo ‘m’ 20yrs,
- Umar Suleiman ‘m’ 22yrs,
- Aminu Ahmad ‘m’ 18yrs,
- Bello Umar ‘m’ 20yrs,
- Sani Ibrahim ‘m’ 18yrs,
- Abubakar Ayuba ‘m’ 25yrs,
- Auwal Abdullahi ‘m’ 22yrs,
- Ayuba Ahmad ‘m’ 30 yrs,
- Halilu Ahmad ‘m’ 22yrs,
- Umar Rabi’u ‘m’ 18yrs,
- Dauda Rabi’u ‘m’ 20yrs,
- Ashiru Alh. Abdulkarim ‘m’ 20yrs,
- Abubakar Lamiru ‘m’ 25yrs,
- Adamu Ibrahim ‘m’ 22yrs, and
- Bashiru Rabi’u ‘m’ 20yrs.
Meanwhile, due to deterioration of the victim’s health condition, the Command said he was first transferred to General Hospital, Alkaleri, and later referred to Ihsan Hospital, Bauchi, for further treatment, as the case now borders on attempted culpable homicide.
Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bauchi, for discreet investigation to apprehend the fleeing suspects and ensure diligent prosecution.
The CP frowns at the resort to self-help and jungle justice on the basis of unverified superstitious beliefs, warning that the Command will not tolerate any act capable of causing a breakdown of law and order. He assures victims and the public that justice will be served.
The Command therefore calls on members of the public to always report grievances to law enforcement agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.
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