Witchcraft accusation: Bauchi police arrest 17 suspects

Police in Bauchi State have arrested 17 suspects over an attack on a 60-year-old man and his 30-year-old son in Gobirawa, Alkaleri area. The attackers allegedly accused the son of causing the October 16 death of 20-year-old Halilu Ahmad through witchcraft, then invaded the family’s home with machetes and sticks around 1 a.m. on October 18. The victims were injured and two family motorcycles were damaged; the older man was transferred to Ihsan Hospital in Bauchi after initial treatment at General Hospital, Alkaleri. Commissioner Sani-Omolori Aliyu ordered the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department and directed police to find three suspects still at large, warning residents against unverified accusations and mob justice.