The Bauchi State Police Command has rescued a middle-aged man identified as Muhammad Lawan, popularly known as Babangida, who was allegedly confined and kept in leg chains by his biological father for an astonishing 17 years.
The victim was rescued on Sunday, February 16, 2026, following a tip-off from a concerned good Samaritan.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, the command received credible information at about 4:20pm that the victim had been locked up and restrained with chains by his father, Mohammed Lawan, inside their family house in Shadawanka village, Bauchi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
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 emaciated victim.”
The police team reportedly found Muhammad Lawan in a severely emaciated and weakened condition, having allegedly lived in confinement without adequate care for nearly two decades.
The suspect, Mohammed Lawan, was promptly arrested at the scene and taken into custody for questioning.
The police said the rescued victim has since been conveyed to a hospital for urgent medical attention and rehabilitation, following directives from the Commissioner of Police.
“CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu 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.”