The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested eleven suspects in connection with the gruesome killing of 29-year-old Ahmed Lawan, popularly known as Soje, of Sabon Kasuwa in Bauchi metropolis.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to him, on October 2, 2025, a case of culpable homicide was reported at the D Division Police Headquarters by a good Samaritan, who narrated that two unidentified men went to the residence of the deceased, allegedly a notorious Sara-Suka gang member.
The suspects reportedly knocked on his door, and when he responded, they stabbed him in the chest before fleeing the scene.
Wakil said operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Mubarak Sani Baba, immediately mobilised to the scene, and evacuated the victim to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
The body was later released to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
Preliminary investigations identified Abubakar Ibrahim, a.k.a. Duduwa, and Abubakar Mohammed as the prime suspects. Following the burial, angry youths launched a reprisal attack, setting fire to the family house of one of the suspects.
A combined team of operatives from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Operation Restore Peace (ORP), and the D Division swiftly intervened to prevent further escalation.
According to Wakil later that day, Duduwa, who had initially fled, was sighted roaming around Mararraban Liman-Katagum and was apprehended by local vigilantes.
However, while being transported to the police station, a mob intercepted the group at Kwanar Kwaila and attacked the suspect with cutlasses, inflicting severe injuries on his head and both hands.
Police operatives responded to a distress call, dispersed the mob, and rescued the injured suspect, who was then taken to ATBUTH for treatment.
The suspects arrested in connection with the killing include Abdulwahab Adamu (25), Nuruddeen Idris (21), Kabiru Saidu (25), Ibrahim Hamza (22), Abdullahi Isah (21), Abdulrasheed Garba (25), Abdulwahab Abubakar (25), Kabiru Muhammad (27), Musa Abdullahi (24), Umar Muhammad (25), and Umar Ali (27), all residents of various areas in Bauchi metropolis.
“They are all undergoing thorough investigation to determine their level of involvement. Efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining accomplices,” the statement added.
Commissioner of Police, CP Sani Omolori Aliyu, warned parents, guardians, and community leaders to caution their wards against acts of violence and lawlessness.
He stressed that the Command would not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone found disrupting public peace, noting that tactical teams have been deployed across the state to enforce law and order and ensure lasting peace.
