Bauchi police arrest four after farmer dies following attack over illness accusation
Bauchi Police says 45-year-old farmer Garba Abdullahi died after an attack allegedly triggered by an accusation that he was responsible for another person’s illness. Four suspects have been arrested, but their guilt has not been established.
BAUCHI — Police in Bauchi State have arrested four people after farmer Garba Abdullahi, 45, died following an attack that police says was linked to an accusation that he was responsible for another person’s illness.
The Bauchi State Police Command says the September 22 incident occurred as Abdullahi was returning from his farm in Dunari village, Atahowa District.
According to police, officers responded after the incident was reported at the Gadau Division and took Abdullahi to General Hospital, Azare.
Police says a doctor at the hospital confirmed Abdullahi’s death. IDNN has not independently obtained the hospital record or an autopsy.
Police allege attack followed illness accusation
Police alleges that four people attacked Abdullahi after accusing him of being responsible for the illness of a person identified as Sawaida Dahiru.
The command says weapons were used during the attack and that Abdullahi was left unconscious before officers arrived.
Those claims remain police allegations.
IDNN has found no evidence supporting the accusation that Abdullahi caused another person’s illness and is not treating any supernatural explanation as credible evidence about the deceased.
Four suspects arrested, case moved to SCID
Police says four suspects were arrested and the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation.
Their arrest does not establish guilt.
As of September 24, IDNN has not established that the suspects have been charged, arraigned or convicted over Abdullahi’s death.
The suspects’ names are being withheld from this first report while the investigation remains at an early stage and no response from them or their legal representatives has been established.
Police warn against violence over accusations
Bauchi Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu condemned what the command described as resort to self-help and violence based on superstitious beliefs.
Police urged residents to report disputes and suspicions to lawful authorities rather than attacking people accused of causing illness or misfortune.
The case raises a wider public-safety concern over violence directed at people on the basis of unproven accusations.
Investigation must establish individual responsibility
Investigators will still need to determine what happened before the attack, what role — if any — each arrested person played and whether the available evidence supports criminal charges.
Independent medical documentation and any subsequent court filings will also be important in establishing the evidential record.
For now, the verified position remains limited: Bauchi Police says Garba Abdullahi died after an attack following an accusation that he was responsible for another person’s illness; four suspects have been arrested and the case transferred to SCID Bauchi. Their guilt has not been established.
