The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects over an attack on a family in Gobirawa (*17*), Alkaleri Local Government Area. This follows the allegation {that a} younger man used witchcraft to trigger the demise of a resident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed the arrests in a press release on Monday.
According to the assertion, the incident reportedly occurred round 1 am on October 18, two days after the demise of 20-year-old Halilu Ahmad on October 16, 2026.
The suspects allegedly stormed the family’s residence armed with machetes and sticks, attacking a 60-year-old man and his 30-year-old son and inflicting a number of accidents on them.
They have been additionally accused of damaging two bikes belonging to the family.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the attack was linked to the suspects’ perception that the youthful sufferer was liable for Ahmad’s demise via witchcraft.
The 60-year-old man was initially taken to General Hospital, Alkaleri, for therapy however was later referred to Ihsan Hospital in Bauchi as a result of horrible state of his situation.
“The detectives attached to the Alkaleri Division apprehended the suspects following the incident,” the assertion added.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bauchi, for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the three other suspects still at large,” the assertion mentioned.
The commissioner warned residents towards appearing on unverified accusations of witchcraft or different superstitious beliefs, noting that such claims may result in violence and the illegal punishment of harmless folks.
He urged residents to report suspicions, disputes and allegations of crime to the police as an alternative of taking the regulation into their very own arms.
The command assured the general public it could pursue justice in the case and wouldn’t tolerate acts able to threatening peace and safety.
