The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects over an alleged attack on a family following accusations of witchcraft in Gobirawa Village, Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the attack occurred in the early hours of October 18, 2026.
According to the police, the suspects allegedly invaded the residence of a 60-year-old man armed with machetes and sticks, assaulted members of his family and damaged two motorcycles.
The police said one of the victims sustained multiple fractures to his left hand and leg, alongside other injuries, while another family member was also injured.
Preliminary investigations reportedly linked the attack to the death of a 20-year-old man on October 16, which the suspects allegedly attributed to witchcraft.
The injured victim was initially taken to the General Hospital, Alkaleri, before being referred to Ihsan Hospital in Bauchi after his condition deteriorated.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and the apprehension of three suspects still at large.
The commissioner condemned jungle justice based on unverified beliefs and warned that the command would not tolerate acts capable of disrupting law and order.
He urged residents to report grievances and suspected criminal activities to law enforcement agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.
