The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 men over an attack on a 60-year-old man and his son in Gobirawa Village, Alkaleri Local Government Area, following an allegation of witchcraft.
The attack, which occurred at about 1am on Sunday, left the older man with multiple fractures and other injuries, while his 30-year-old son was also injured. Two motorcycles belonging to the family were reportedly damaged.
Police spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, said preliminary investigations indicated that the attack was linked to the death of a 20-year-old villager, Halilu Ahmad, on October 16.
The suspects allegedly blamed the older man’s son for the death, accusing him of witchcraft.
According to the police, the assailants allegedly trespassed into the family’s home armed with machetes and sticks before attacking the victims. Three other suspects are still at large.
Detectives attached to the Alkaleri Police Division arrested the 17 suspects later on Sunday following a discreet operation.
The injured 60-year-old man was initially taken to General Hospital, Alkaleri, before being referred to Ihsan Hospital in Bauchi for further treatment as his condition deteriorated.
The police said the case involved allegations of criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, trespass, intimidation, attempted culpable homicide and malicious damage.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation and the arrest of the fleeing suspects.
Aliyu condemned the resort to violence over unverified allegations, warning that the command would not tolerate jungle justice or acts capable of disrupting public order.
He urged residents to report grievances to law enforcement agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.
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