The Bauchi State Police Command has announced the arrest of six individuals involved in vandalism and child abuse, alongside the recovery of stolen property. The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, shared these details in a press release on Tuesday.
Wakil reported, “On the 25th December 2024, detectives while on night visibility patrol, intercepted one Hamza Mohammed ‘m’, aged 20, of Gwallameji area of Bauchi, Mustapha Sa’idu ‘m’, aged 22 of Rafin Tambari, who conspired among themselves, trespassed into a house situated at Rafin Tambari area of Bauchi and stole two wheels of vehicle tyre and two bags of cement valued two hundred and forty-nine thousand naira (N249,000) as estimated.”
He further disclosed another incident, “As reported on the 14th of January 2025, the same gang, including one other member named Aliyu Musa ‘m’, conspired among themselves and vandalised an electric aluminium conductor belonging to Jos Electricity Power Company (JED) at Tambari housing Estate, Bauchi State.”
During the investigation, the suspects confessed to the crimes, with Wakil stating, “It was further revealed that the suspects had already negotiated with one Al-ameen Ibrahim behind the IDC area of Bauchi to purchase the stolen items at his liberty price.” The police recovered items including a bunch of electric aluminium conductors, one hacksaw, and one Jincheng motorcycle. Wakil confirmed that the suspects would be prosecuted following ongoing investigations.
In a grim turn of events related to child abuse, Wakil reported, “On the 25th January 2025, the operatives attached to Kirfi Divisional Police headquarters, following information, arrested Shehu Isah ‘m’ aged 45 of Unguwan Karofi, via Kirfi LGA, Bauchi State, who lured a five-year-old girl (name withheld), and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her in his room.”
He also noted another case, “On the 16th of January 2025, Detectives attached to Ningi Divisional Police headquarters received a report that on the 15th of January 2025, a ten-year-old (name withheld) ‘f’ reportedly went missing. Upon investigation, it was discovered that on the same date, one Shafi’u Sule ‘m’ of Katsinawa Tabulawa village was apprehended with the missing girl by Police operatives in conjunction with members of quasi-security around Tsohuwar Ningi area of Ningi LGA, Bauchi State.”
Wakil added that Shafi’u Sule had threatened the victim, saying, “He threatened to cut off the victim’s tongue and burn her alive if she dared to shout for help.” The suspect confirmed the girl’s statement during interrogation.
The Commissioner of Police, Auwal Muhammad, has directed these cases to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation, after which the suspects will be profiled and charged for prosecution.