Police rescue two abducted Taraba girls, arrest suspects in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has rescued two 13-year-old girls who were allegedly taken from their community in Taraba State and arrested two suspects linked to the case in Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The victims, identified as Aisha and Zainab, had reportedly been missing since March after leaving their homes in Fangari Hamlet, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, the breakthrough followed a complaint lodged on March 10, 2026, by the father of one of the girls, who reported that his daughter and her friend had disappeared and could not be located despite efforts by their families.

Police investigations and intelligence gathering later led operatives to Bara Town in Kirfi LGA of Bauchi State, where the two girls were found.

The statement said preliminary findings revealed that two suspects, Auwal Muhammad and Abdulgaffar Musa, both aged 20 and residents of Unguwar Zangoma in Bara Town, allegedly conspired to take the minors from Taraba State to Bauchi State without the consent of their parents.

The suspects were subsequently arrested, while the rescued girls were placed under police protection pending their reunion with their families.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.

Speaking on the development, Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, reiterated the command’s commitment to combating crimes involving children.

“The Command will not tolerate any act of child abduction or exploitation. Parents and guardians should monitor their children closely and report any suspicious movement to the nearest police station,” he said.

The police command assured residents that it would continue efforts to protect vulnerable persons and ensure that perpetrators of child-related crimes are brought to justice.