“Bauchi Islamic Scholar Killed, Wife and Newborn Abducted in Midnight Attack”

A wave of shock and grief has swept through Zalau village in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State after a group of armed men attacked the home of a respected Islamic cleric, killing him and abducting his wife and their newborn child.

The incident occurred late on Saturday, November 22, 2025, when the assailants invaded the residence of Alhaji Muhammad Bakoshi, a well-known scholar and the Discipline Officer of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) branch in the community. Residents say the attackers struck quietly under the cover of darkness, opening fire as they forced their way into the home.

Witnesses told reporters that Bakoshi attempted to shield his family during the invasion but was fatally shot in the process. His wife—who delivered a baby girl barely two weeks ago—was taken captive alongside the newborn. Their whereabouts remain unknown.

Community members described the cleric as a devoted religious leader who served the community for years, offering guidance, mediation, and support to young and old. His death has sparked fear and sorrow across the village, with many residents expressing frustration over recurring security threats in remote parts of the state.

Local authorities have not released an official statement as of the time of this report, but security operatives are said to be working with community vigilantes to track the kidnappers and secure the release of the mother and child.

The attack adds to the growing list of violent incidents linked to armed gangs operating in parts of northern Nigeria—raising new concerns about safety, especially for rural communities that remain vulnerable to such raids.