32-Year-Old Man Chained for 17 Years Rescued
BAUCHI — In a move that has sent shockwaves across the North-East, the Bauchi State Police Command has rescued a 32-year-old man, Muhammad Lawan, who was allegedly held captive by his father for 17 years. The victim, popularly known as “Babangida,” was discovered on Monday, February 16, 2026, in Shadawanka Village, leg-chained to a heavy wooden log in a state of extreme emaciation. Acting on a precise intelligence tip-off from a concerned resident, a team of detectives led by the DPO ‘B’ Division raided the Lawan residence to uncover the horrific scene. Consequently, the biological father, Mohammed Lawan, is currently in police custody as investigators attempt to unravel the psychological and cultural motivations behind this prolonged “private imprisonment.”
The rescue operation revealed a level of domestic cruelty that suggests a total collapse of familial empathy. According to Command Spokesperson, SP Habib Nafiu, the victim had been denied basic care, sunlight, and adequate nutrition since 2009. Furthermore, initial medical assessments indicate that Muhammad suffered severe muscle atrophy and psychological trauma due to nearly two decades of restricted movement. While it is true that the father claimed the confinement was a “disciplinary measure” or “traditional healing,” the Police Commissioner, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has dismissed these excuses as unacceptable. Indeed, the state government has directed that the victim be placed under intensive medical and psychiatric rehabilitation at a public health facility.
The Shadawanka case highlights a disturbing trend of “backyard detentions” in rural communities, where mental health issues are often met with shackles rather than science. In a related development, human rights organizations have called for a “village-by-village” audit of domestic living conditions in Bauchi LGA to identify similar hidden victims. Notably, Nigerian law under the Torture Prohibition Act of 2017 prescribes stiff penalties for any person—parental or otherwise—who subjects an individual to inhuman or degrading treatment. Significant legal experts argue that the father could face life imprisonment if the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) establishes a case of kidnapping and torture.
Furthermore, the Commissioner of Police has ordered a preliminary investigation to determine if other family members or neighbors acted as silent accomplices during the 17-year ordeal. Above all, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu emphasized that “no person, regardless of biological ties, has the right to strip another of their constitutional liberty.” Subsequently, the case will be transferred to the SCID for a thorough prosecution phase. Although the rescue brings immediate relief, the long-term recovery of “Babangida” remains a daunting task for the state’s humanitarian agencies.
Finally, the Bauchi Police Command urged the public to continue reporting “strange faces or unusual occurrences” within their neighborhoods to prevent such long-term atrocities. Therefore, the successful rescue of Muhammad Lawan stands as a testament to the power of community whistleblowing. As a result of this intervention, the “unbroken spirit” of Babangida finally has a chance at a life beyond the wooden log. Accordingly, the quest for justice must now ensure that the perpetrators of this 17-year “living death” face the full weight of the Nigerian law.