'Like an Animal': Bauchi Police Rescue Man Chained to Log by Father for 17 Years in Inhuman Captivity

Muhammad Lawan, also known as Babangida, found severely emaciated in village home; 70-year-old father arrested as investigation begins

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have rescued a middle-aged man who spent 17 years chained to a heavy log inside his family home—allegedly confined by his own father in what authorities describe as an act of inhuman treatment.

The victim, Muhammad Lawan, popularly known as Babangida, was discovered Monday afternoon at Shadawanka Village in Bauchi Local Government Area following a tip-off from a concerned resident.

The Discovery

Police received information around 4:20 p.m. on February 16 from a good Samaritan who reported that Lawan had been confined by his biological father, Mohammed Lawan, for nearly two decades without care .

A team of detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer of 'B' Division, in conjunction with the command's Police Public Relations Officer, immediately visited the village. What they found shocked even seasoned officers.

The victim was discovered chained to a log, severely emaciated and visibly neglected after 17 years in captivity .

Arrest and Rescue

The father, identified as 70-year-old Mohammed Lawan, was arrested at the scene and is currently in police custody. The rescued man has been taken to a hospital for immediate medical attention and rehabilitation, as directed by Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu .

The CP has ordered a preliminary investigation by the DPO to uncover the circumstances surrounding this inhumane act. The case will subsequently be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation .

Questions Remain

The motive behind the prolonged confinement remains unclear. Police have not disclosed whether the father has offered any explanation for keeping his son chained for 17 years. Neighbors and community members expressed shock at the discovery, with many stating they were unaware of the victim's existence or had been told he was receiving care elsewhere.

Human Rights Implications

The case raises serious questions about how such extreme abuse could go undetected for nearly two decades in a rural community. Human rights advocates note that persons with mental health challenges or disabilities are particularly vulnerable to hidden abuse, especially in communities where social services are limited and family matters are considered private.

For Muhammad Lawan, now in his middle age, the rescue marks the beginning of a long journey—physical recovery from 17 years of confinement, and the psychological challenge of reintegrating into a world he has been denied for most of his adult life.