Witchcraft Allegation: Police Arrest 17 Over Alleged Attempted Murder In Bauchi Community

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects over an alleged violent attack on a family in Gobirawa Village, Gwana District, Alkaleri local government area, following accusations of witchcraft.

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

Those arrested are Dayyabu Umar, a 18-year-old; Malam Sule Muhammadu, 50-year-old; Usman Dabo, 20-years-old; Umar Suleiman, 22-year-old; Aminu Ahmad, 18-year-old; Bello Umar, 20-year-old; Sani Ibrahim, 18-year-old; Abubakar Ayuba, 25-year-old; Auwal Abdullahi, 22-year-old; Ayuba Ahmad, 30-year-old; Halilu Ahmad, 22-year-old; Umar Rabi’u, 18-year-old; Dauda Rabi’u, 20-year-old; Ashiru Alh. Abdulkarim, 20-year-old; Abubakar Lamiru, 25-year-old; Adamu Ibrahim, 22-year-old; and Bashiru Rabi’u, a 20-year-old.

All the suspects are reportedly residents of Gobirawa Village.

In a statement issued on Monday, the police public relations officer (PPRO), SP Nafiu Habib, said the incident occurred on October 18, 2026, and highlighted the dangers of jungle justice and harmful superstitious beliefs.

According to the Police, 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 in the village.

The suspects were reportedly armed with machetes and sticks when they attacked the family.

During the attack, one Abubakar was allegedly stabbed and sustained multiple fractures to his left hand and leg, alongside other injuries to his body. His 30-year-old son also sustained injuries, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were damaged.

Police preliminary investigations revealed that the attack was allegedly triggered by the death of a 20-year-old man, Halilu Ahmad, who died on October 16, 2026.

The suspects reportedly attributed the death to witchcraft allegedly practised by the son of the 60-year-old victim.

The Police said detectives attached to the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters arrested the 17 suspects on October 18 following a discreet response to the incident.

The Police further disclosed that the victim’s health condition deteriorated after the attack, prompting his transfer to the General Hospital, Alkaleri, before he was referred to Ihsan Hospital, Bauchi, for further treatment.

The case is now being investigated as an alleged 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 a discreet and thorough investigation.

The directive, according to the statement, is aimed at apprehending the three fleeing suspects and ensuring the diligent prosecution of all those found culpable.

The commissioner condemned the resort to self-help and jungle justice based on unverified superstitious beliefs, warning that the command would not tolerate acts capable of disrupting public peace and order.

He assured the victims and members of the public that justice would be served.
The command urged residents to report grievances and suspected criminal activities to law enforcement agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.