A 20-year-old man, Rabiu Safiyanu, has been arrested by the Bauchi State Police Command for allegedly abducting and killing a four-year-old boy, Yunusa Salisu.
The suspect was apprehended by detectives from the ‘C’ Divisional Headquarters in Bauchi under the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
This followed a complaint lodged on March 21 at about 11:00 a.m. by the victim’s father, Salisu Yunusa, a resident of Nasarawa Madina Quarters.
He reported that his son had gone missing on March 18 around 9:30 a.m.
In a statement issued to journalists on Sunday by Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, the father revealed that he received a call from an unknown number on March 19 demanding a ransom of N500,000.
He subsequently paid N100,000, but the child was not released.
According to the police, investigations led to the arrest of Safiyanu, who resides in the same area and is known to the family, having close ties with the complainant’s younger brother, which gave him access to the house.
The suspect reportedly confessed to abducting the child, strangling him, and disposing of the body at Warinje Hills before proceeding to demand ransom from the family.
Police operatives later recovered the decomposing body of the victim, which showed signs of strangulation, along with a rope believed to have been used in committing the crime.
The body was certified dead by the Officer in Charge of the Police Clinic, documented, and released to the family for burial at the site in line with public health considerations.
Commissioner of Police(CP) Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to take over the case to ensure a thorough and timely investigation, as well as prosecution of the suspect.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities within their communities to the police.
