Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Police have arrested 17 suspects over an alleged machete and stick attack on a family in Gobirawa Village, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, following accusations that the family’s son was responsible for a young man’s death through witchcraft.
The incident occurred at about 1am on October 18, 2026, in Gwana District, after the death of 20-year-old Halilu Ahmad on October 16, according to the police.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed the arrests in a statement on Monday, saying the suspects allegedly invaded the residence of a 60-year-old man alongside three accomplices who remain at large.
“The suspects conspired with three others now at large, Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje and Yakubu Umaru. They criminally trespassed into the house and premises of a 60-year-old man of the same address, armed with machetes and sticks,” the statement said.
During the attack, the assailants allegedly assaulted the victim’s son, identified as Abubakar, whose other names were withheld, causing multiple fractures to his left hand and leg, as well as other injuries. The victim’s 30-year-old son also sustained injuries, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were damaged.
The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the attack was triggered by allegations linking the family’s son to Halilu Ahmad’s death.
The statement added, “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.”
Detectives from the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters arrested the 17 suspects at about 3pm on October 18. They were identified as Dayyabu Umar, 18; Malam Sule Muhammadu, 50; Usman Dabo, 20; Umar Suleiman, 22; Aminu Ahmad, 18; Bello Umar, 20; Sani Ibrahim, 18; Abubakar Ayuba, 25; Auwal Abdullahi, 22; Ayuba Ahmad, 30; Halilu Ahmad, 22; Umar Rabi’u, 18; Dauda Rabi’u, 20; Ashiru Alhaji Abdulkarim, 20; Abubakar Lamiru, 25; Adamu Ibrahim, 22; and Bashiru Rabi’u, 20.
The police said the injured victim was initially taken to General Hospital, Alkaleri, before being referred to Ihsan Hospital, Bauchi, after his condition deteriorated. The case has since taken on a more serious dimension, with the police stating that “the case now borders on attempted culpable homicide.”
Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation, including efforts to arrest the three fleeing suspects and prosecute anyone found culpable.
Aliyu condemned the use of violence and jungle justice over unverified superstitious beliefs, warning that the command “will not tolerate any act capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.” He assured the victims and the public that justice would be served.
The command urged residents to report grievances and suspected criminal activities to the police rather than resorting to violence or taking the law into their own hands.
