The police command in Bauchi says it arrested 17 suspects for alleged criminal conspiracy, defamation, house trespass and attempted murder following a violent attack linked to an allegation of witchcraft in Gobirawa village.

In a statement on Monday, the command’s spokesman, Nafiu Habib, said the attack, which occurred on Sunday at about 1:00 a.m., underscored the danger of jungle justice. He said the suspects conspired with three others now at large: Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje, and Yakubu Umaru.

“They criminally trespassed into the house and premises of a 60-year-old man of the same address, armed with machetes and sticks.

“In the process, they attacked and stabbed one Abubakar (other names withheld), inflicting multiple fractures on his left hand and left leg with several other injuries on his body,” Mr Habib said.

He stated that his 30-year-old son also sustained injuries, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were damaged.

The attack was allegedly triggered by the death of a resident, Halilu Ahmad, 20, on Friday, which the suspects attributed to wizardry by the son of the victim.

The suspects were brought to divisional headquarters on Sunday at about 3:00 p.m. They are Dayyabu Umar, 18, Sule Muhammadu, 50, Usman Dabo, 20, Umar Suleiman, 22, Aminu Ahmad, 18, Bello Umar, 20, Sani Ibrahim, 18, Abubakar Ayuba, 25, Auwal Abdullahi, 22, Ahmad, 30, Halilu Ahmad, 22, Umar Rabi’u, 18, Dauda Rabi’u, 20,  Ashiru Abdulkarim, 20, Abubakar Lamiru, 25, Adamu Ibrahim, 22 and Bashiru Rabi’u, 20.

He noted that due to deterioration of the victim’s health condition, he was first transferred to General Hospital, Alkaleri, and later referred to Ihsan Hospital, Bauchi, for further treatment, as the case now bordered on attempted culpable homicide.