Police Arrest 4 For Murder Of Man Over Alleged Witchcraft

Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four suspects for the alleged murder of a 45-year-old man, Garba Abdullahi, following accusations that he was responsible for the illness of a resident in Dunari village, Atahowa District, Itas/Gadau local government area.

The police said on September 22, 2026, a 35-year-old resident of Dunari village reported at the Gadau Divisional Police office that his elder brother, Garba Abdullahi, was attacked on his way home from the farm by four persons who allegedly accused him of causing the illness of one Sawaida Dahiru through witchcraft.

The suspects were identified as Shitu Dahiru, a 25-year-old; Magaji Dahiru, 42-year-old; Sabi’u Auwalu, 20-years-old; and Abbah Abdulzahar, 19-year-old. The four suspects, all males and residents of the same address, allegedly stabbed and macheted Abdullahi on various parts of his body, leaving him unconscious.

A statement issued by the Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, yesterday, said police operatives, upon receiving the report, rushed to the scene and evacuated the victim to the General Hospital, Azare, for immediate medical attention.

He said the victim was later confirmed dead by a medical doctor, adding that his corpse was released to his relatives for burial.

“All four suspects have been arrested,” the PPRO said.

In a related development, the Police said operatives attached to the Gadau Division, acting on credible intelligence on September 21, 2026, intercepted a black Sharon Wagon with registration number WKA 805 along Sharfolli village, Atahowa District, suspected to be conveying illicit drugs.

The Police team arrested two suspects, identified as Shu’aibu Umar, 35, and Isah Ibrahim, 20, both of Atahowa village, Itas/Gadau LGA.

According to the police, the suspects were found in possession of 69 blocks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, which were allegedly concealed in bags of groundnuts.

SP Nafiu said the suspects were in custody, while the exhibits had been recovered.

The Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the increasing cases of jungle justice and self-help arising from superstitious beliefs, warning that no one has the right to take another person’s life under any guise.

The command said both cases had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bauchi, for discreet investigation and subsequent prosecution.

It reassured members of the public of its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies and desist from taking the law into their own hands.