Rescue Operation in Bauchi: Man Freed After 17 Years of Confinement by Father

In a shocking incident, the Bauchi State Police Command has intervened to rescue a man who was held captive and chained by his father for a staggering 17 years.

According to the police spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, the rescue mission was prompted by a report from a compassionate individual who revealed that the victim, Muhammad Lawan, had been subjected to confinement by his father without any care for almost two decades.

Following this report, a police team swiftly arrived at the location in Shadawanka village within the Bauchi Local Government Area, where they managed to rescue the visibly emaciated victim.

The police statement indicated, "The Bauchi State Police Command has successfully freed a middle-aged man who was reportedly chained and confined by his biological father for 17 years."

On February 16, 2026, around 4:20 PM, authorities were alerted to the ordeal faced by Muhammad Lawan, also known as Babangida, who had allegedly been held captive by his father, Mohammed Lawan, without adequate care for the past 17 years.

Upon receiving the alarming information, a dedicated team led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of 'B' Division, accompanied by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, promptly visited the site and rescued the extremely malnourished victim.

The father of the victim has since been apprehended and is currently in police custody. The rescued individual has been conveyed to the hospital for essential medical care and rehabilitation, as instructed by the Police Commissioner.

Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu directed that the DPO carry out a preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding this brutal act and ensure the case is forwarded to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive inquiry.