Four professional hunters arrested for torturing 20-year-old to death over alleged N150,000 theft in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four professional hunters for torturing a 20-year-old man to death over alleged theft of N150,000 in Yelwan Tsakani, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis. 

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Musa Muhammad, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen on Thursday, May 30, 2024, said the deceased, Jacob Ayuba, was tortured to a state of coma at the office of Hunters group following a complaint lodged by one Bamaiyi Mark that he stole N150,000 from his shop. 

Upon receiving the report, the detectives attached to the Division immediately dispatched to the Hunter’s office and rushed the victim to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital for medical attention but he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

“The Command had previously issued a warning to quasi-security outfits across the state regarding their involvement in human rights violations in a meeting/sensitization session held at the Police Officer’s Mess on 15 May 2024,” the CP stated.

“The session emphasized the importance of adhering to legal standards and ensuring the protection of citizens’ rights while performing their duties.

“The commissioner highlighted the consequences of such violations and urged these groups to operate within the framework of the law to avoid any form of abuse or misconduct. 

“Despite the efforts of the Command to limit violation incidents, some members of the Professional Hunters group go the contrary. This led to the arrest of three members of the group for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

“The suspects arrested include: 1. Mathew Enoch m aged 23yrs, Jesse William ‘m’ aged 25yrs, Gagare Gibson ‘m’ aged 24yrs and Bamayyi Habila Mark m aged 31yrs all of same address, all members of professional hunters attached to Yelwan Tsakani.

“The operatives attached to ‘E’ Divisional Police Headquarters received the report of the criminal conspiracy involving one Jacob Ayuba ‘m’ aged 20yrs of the same address who was tortured to coma at the office of Hunters group following a complaint lodged by one Bamaiyi Mark ‘m’ 31yrs of same address on suspicion that the said Jacob stole his sum of one hundred and fifty thousand naira (N150, 000) from his shop

“Upon receiving the report, the detectives attached to the Division immediately dispatched to the Hunter’s office and rushed the victim to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital for medical attention, but pronounced dead by a medical doctor. 

“Meanwhile, investigation is still ongoing, and appropriate sanctions will be taken against the group and the members involved.

“Exhibits recovered from them include three (3) fan belts.”