Bauchi Police Arrest 17 Over Alleged Witchcraft Attack That Left Man With Multiple Fractures
Seventeen suspects have been arrested in Bauchi State over an alleged violent attack on a family in Gobirawa Village, Alkaleri Local Government Area, following accusations of witchcraft. The attack reportedly left a man with multiple fractures and damaged two motorcycles belonging to the family.
The Bauchi State Police Command said the incident occurred at about 1am on October 18, 2026, in Gobirawa Village, Gwana District. The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed the arrests in a statement made available on Monday.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly joined forces with three other men, identified as Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje and Yakubu Umaru, who remain at large. The group reportedly invaded the home of a 60-year-old man while armed with machetes and sticks.
The attackers allegedly assaulted the victim’s son, identified only as Abubakar, causing multiple fractures to his left hand and leg, alongside other injuries. The victim’s 30-year-old son was also reported to have sustained injuries during the incident, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were allegedly damaged.
Police said preliminary investigations linked the attack to the death of Halilu Ahmad, a 20-year-old man from the same community, on October 16, 2026. The suspects allegedly blamed the victim’s son for the death, accusing him of witchcraft or wizardry. The allegations have not been established as fact.
Detectives attached to the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters reportedly arrested the 17 suspects at about 3pm on October 18. The suspects, whose ages range from 18 to 50, are being investigated over alleged criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, trespass, intimidation, attempted culpable homicide and mischief.
The police said the injured victim was initially taken to the General Hospital in Alkaleri but was later referred to Ihsan Hospital in Bauchi after his condition deteriorated. The command added that the case now involves an allegation of attempted culpable homicide. Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation.
The commissioner condemned the use of violence and jungle justice based on unverified beliefs, warning that the command would not tolerate actions capable of disrupting public order. Police said the investigation would also seek to apprehend the three suspects still at large and ensure that anyone found culpable faces prosecution. Residents were urged to report grievances and suspected crimes to law enforcement agencies rather than take the law into their own hands.