Bauchi Sees Alarming Spike: 75 Homicides and 28 Kidnappings in a Year

Table of Contents

1. Homicide Cases Recorded
2. Criminal Matters Overview
3. New Strategies for Prosecutions
4. Funding for Legal Resources
5. Chief Judge's Critique
6. Governor's Remarks

The Bauchi State Ministry of Justice reported a total of 75 homicide cases, 28 cases of kidnapping, and 86 incidents of rape during the 2024–2025 legal year.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Hassan Usman, made this announcement on Tuesday in Bauchi at the commencement of the 2025–2026 legal year.

He stated: “In terms of criminal matters from January to the present, we have received a total of 91 robbery cases, an increase from 83 the previous year, along with 75 homicide cases.

“We also processed motions for bail and other applications totaling 256, in addition to the 86 rape cases and 28 kidnapping cases.

“In total, we managed 592 criminal cases, of which 97 have been resolved, 15 were dismissed based on legal advice, while 454 are still pending.”

Usman pointed out that, due to the high volume of cases, the Ministry has implemented new strategies to accelerate prosecutions in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, which emphasizes timely trials, including strict deadlines for filing charges and conducting hearings.

He revealed that Governor Bala Mohammed has approved N7.8 million for the acquisition of legal books and other professional materials for the Ministry's library. The governor also sanctioned monthly payments to settle all outstanding judgment debts owed by the state government.

Usman praised the governor for his unwavering support, dedication, and encouragement towards the state's justice sector.

Earlier, the Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Rabi Umar, criticized the persistent practice of arraigning suspects without proper preliminary investigations.

She highlighted that in many cases, evidence collection only commenced after a trial had already begun.

She remarked: “This outdated method of criminal prosecution leads to significant delays and undermines the administration of justice.

“It is unacceptable that in 2025, we are still witnessing such practices, which contribute to the increasing backlog of cases and weaken public confidence in the justice system.

“To address this and other issues, a committee has been established to review the Bauchi State Administration of Criminal Justice Law and develop a draft that will endure over time.”

Justice Umar also announced that any lawyer who fails to adhere to the approved dress code for legal practitioners in the state will not be permitted to appear in court, noting that neglecting proper attire diminishes the dignity and international standing of the legal profession.

In his address, Governor Mohammed stated that the three branches of government in the state have continued to function in harmony and mutual respect without compromising their constitutional responsibilities.

Represented by his deputy, Alh. Auwal Jatau, he mentioned that his administration has consistently provided the legislative and judicial branches with the necessary support to operate effectively and without hindrance.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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