Police in Bauchi State say they have arrested 17 suspects after a group attacked a family in Gobirawa village, Alkaleri Local Government Area, following an allegation of witchcraft.
A 60-year-old man and his 30-year-old son were injured in the attack, which police said occurred at about 1 a.m. on Sunday, October 18. The assailants allegedly entered the family’s home armed with machetes and sticks and damaged two motorcycles.
Police spokesman Nafiu Habib said in a statement on Monday that preliminary investigations linked the attack to the death of Halilu Ahmad, a 20-year-old resident, on October 16.
According to police, the attackers accused the older man’s son of causing the death through witchcraft. That accusation is not an established explanation for Ahmad’s death.
Vanguard reported that the injured older man was taken to General Hospital in Alkaleri before being referred to Ihsan Hospital in Bauchi because of his condition.
Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department. Police are seeking three other suspects who remain at large.
Channels Television reported that detectives arrested the 17 suspects on Sunday afternoon. The allegations under investigation include conspiracy, trespass, intimidation, attempted culpable homicide and damage to property; the arrests are not convictions.
The commissioner urged residents to report grievances and suspected crimes to the police instead of taking the law into their own hands.
Sources: Channels TV, Vanguard
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