The Bauchi State police command has arrested an 18-year-old man, Usman Abubakar, for allegedly spreading false rumours of an impending herdsmen attack and fraudulently obtaining money from residents of Lanzai town.

The command’s spokesperson, Nafiu Habib, stated this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the suspect spread false claims of an impending attack and collected N4,000 each from two households for prayers and sacrifices.

According to the police, the suspect is from Lanzai town in the Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

“According to a report received at Darazo Division on 28/06/2026 at about 1510hrs from a traditional ruler in Lanzai. The suspect was alleged to have gone around Lanzai Town spreading rumours that herders would attack the town within three days.

Mr Habib said the suspect admitted during interrogation that he spread false information.

He added that a 32-year-old woman, Hannatu (surname withheld), from the same community told the suspect about a dream in which she saw that the town might be attacked.

The police said her fears were influenced by trauma after three of her neighbours were killed during an incident on June 4, 2026.

“The suspect is currently in the custody of the Darazo Division for preliminary investigation,” he said. 

He added that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bauchi for further investigation and prosecution.

Mr Habib urged residents to verify information before acting on it and to report suspicious activities to security agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.