The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects over a violent attack on a family in Gobirawa village, Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state following a witchcraft accusation.

In a Monday statement, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Nafiu Habib disclosed that the incident occurred at about 1:00 am on Sunday in Gobirawa Village, Gwana District.

According to the police spokesman, the suspects conspired with three others now at large — Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje and Yakubu Umaru — and trespassed into the house of a 60-year-old man, armed with machetes and sticks.

He said the attackers stabbed one Abubakar (other names withheld), inflicting multiple fractures on his left hand and leg and several other injuries.

His 30-year-old son also sustained injuries, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were damaged.

The police said preliminary investigation revealed that the attack was triggered by the death of 20-year-old Halilu Ahmad on October 16, which the suspects attributed to witchcraft by the son of the victim.

Following the attack, detectives attached to Alkaleri Division arrested 17 suspects at about 3:00 pm on Sunday and took them to the Divisional Headquarters.

The suspects are:

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; and Ayuba Ahmad, 30.

Others are Halilu Ahmad, 22; Umar Rabi’u, 18; Dauda Rabi’u, 20; Ashiru Alh. Abdulkarim, 20; Abubakar Lamiru, 25; Adamu Ibrahim, 22; and Bashiru Rabi’u, 20.

The police said due to the deterioration of the victim’s health, he was first transferred to General Hospital, Alkaleri, and later referred to Ihsan Hospital, Bauchi, for further treatment.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Bauchi, for discreet investigation to apprehend the fleeing suspects and ensure diligent prosecution.

He frowned at the resort to self-help and jungle justice on the basis of unverified superstitious beliefs, warning that the command would not tolerate any act capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.

The command urged members of the public to report grievances to law enforcement agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands. (The Sun)