A man who had been unlawfully detained and chained for 17 years by his biological father has been freed by the Bauchi State Police Command.
A good Samaritan stated that Muhammad Lawan, the victim, had been held by his father for nearly ten years without any care, according to a statement released by the command spokeswoman, SP Nafiu Habib, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
According to the PPRO, after getting the report, a group of detectives went to the scene in Bauchi LGA’s Shadawanka village and managed to save the severely malnourished victim.
“The Bauchi State Police Command has rescued a middle-aged man who was allegedly confined and leg-chained by his father for seventeen years,” the statement read.
“On 16th February, 2026, at about 1620hrs, information was received from a good Samaritan that one Muhammad Lawan, popularly known as Babangida, had been confined by his biological father, Mohammed Lawan, in his house for seventeen (17) years without care.
“Upon receipt of the report, a team of detectives led by the DPO ‘B’ Division, in conjunction with the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), visited the scene in Shadawanka village of Bauchi LGA and successfully rescued the very emmaciated victim.
The father of the victim has been arrested and is currently in custody. The victim has been taken to hospital for proper medical attention and rehabilitation as directed by Commissioner of Police.
“CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, mni, psc(+), has also directed the DPO to conduct a preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding this inhumane act and subsequently transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation.”
