The Bauchi State police command has arrested six suspects for offences ranging from possession of prohibited substances to criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide in Sharfolli and Dunari villages of the state.

The command’s spokesman, Nafiu Habib, in a statement on Wednesday said two suspects were arrested at Sharfolli village at about 3:00 p.m over alleged possession of suspected Indian hemp.

“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives attached to Gadau Division intercepted a black Sharon Wagon with registration No. WKA 805 along Sharfolli village, Atafowa District, suspected to be conveying illicit drugs,” he said.

He stated that the police team’s prompt response led to the arrest of two suspects identified as Shu’aibu Umar, 35 and Isah Ibrahim, 20.

Mr Habib said the suspects, who hailed from Atafowa village in the Itas/Gadau Local Government Area, were arrested in possession of 69 blocks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, concealed in bags of groundnuts.

He added that the suspects were in custody and the exhibits recovered.

The command’s spokesman said in another incident four suspects were arrested for murder over witchcraft allegations in Dunari village.

He stated that on Tuesday at about 12:35 p.m., a 35-year-old man from Dunari village, via Atahowa District, reported at Gadau Division that on the same date at about 11:40 a.m., his elder brother, Garba Abdullahi, 45, was brutally attacked on his way home from the farm by four persons who accused him of being responsible for the illness of one Sawaida Dahiru.

He identified the suspects as Shitu Dahiru 25, Magaji Dahiru 42, Sabi’u Auwalu 2, and Abbah Abdul Zahar 19, all males.

He noted that the suspects, from the same address, allegedly stabbed and inflicted machet cuts on the victim, leaving him unconscious.

He stated, “Police operatives rushed to the scene and evacuated the victim to General Hospital Azare for immediate medical attention, where he was later confirmed dead by a medical doctor.” 

He added that the corpse was released to relatives for burial, stating that the four suspects were arrested.