Police in Bauchi State have arrested 11 suspects in connection with the gruesome murder of a 29-year-old man, Ahmad Lawan, popularly known as Soje, who was allegedly a member of the notorious youth gang known as Sara-Suka.
The incident occurred on October 2, 2025, around 8:25 a.m., at Lawan’s residence in Sabon Kasuwa area of Bauchi metropolis. According to the spokesman of the Bauchi State Police Command, CSP Ahmad Muhammad Wakil, two unidentified men had visited the victim’s home pretending to call on him before attacking him.
Lawan was reportedly stabbed in the chest by the assailants, who fled immediately after committing the act. He was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), where he was pronounced dead. His remains were later released to his family and buried according to Islamic rites.
CSP Wakil said that preliminary investigations identified Abubakar Ibrahim, also known as Duduwa, and Abubakar Mohammed as the prime suspects in the killing.
Following Lawan’s burial, tension gripped the community as angry youths reportedly set fire to one of the suspects’ houses, prompting a swift intervention by a combined team of operatives from the Rapid Response Squad, Operation Restore Peace, and D Division to prevent escalation.
During a follow-up operation, police operatives apprehended Abubakar Ibrahim in Mararraban Liman-Katagum, where he was attempting to flee. However, while being transported to the police station, a mob intercepted the vehicle at Kwanar Kwaila, attacking the suspect with cutlasses. He sustained fractures on both hands and a deep head injury before police officers were able to disperse the crowd and rescue him.
The injured suspect was later taken to ATBUTH for treatment, while police intensified manhunts for other accomplices still at large.
Meanwhile, 11 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident. Those in custody include Abdulwahab Adamu, Nuruddeen Idris, Kabiru Saidu, Ibrahim Hamza, Abdullahi Isah, Abdulrasheed Garba, Abdulwahab Abubakar, Kabiru Muhammad, Musa Abdullahi, Umar Muhammad, and Umar Ali.
All suspects are undergoing intensive investigation to determine their individual roles in the murder and the violent aftermath.
According to CSP Wakil, the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that all those responsible for Lawan’s killing and the subsequent unrest be brought to justice.
“The Commissioner of Police has assured that the command will take decisive action against anyone or group trying to disrupt peace in Bauchi State,” Wakil said.
He added that tactical teams have been deployed across key areas of the state to maintain peace and order, especially in communities affected by the incident.
The Sara-Suka gang, known for violent street activities, has been a major security concern in Bauchi and other parts of northern Nigeria for years. Authorities have intensified efforts to clamp down on its members and restore calm in affected areas.
CSP Wakil appealed to residents to remain law-abiding, avoid taking the law into their own hands, and cooperate with security agencies to ensure justice is served.