Police arrest five suspects over alleged abuse of minors in Bauchi

The arrests followed reports by parents and community members in Yana, Tudun Gambo, Misau, Gadau and Gumau, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib.

The statement said a 44-year-old suspect, Shawilu Liman, was arrested after a father reported on November 2 that his eight-year-old daughter had allegedly been sexually assaulted at Disina Village in Yana Local Government Area.

In another case, police arrested an 18-year-old suspect, Zakariya Auwal, over the alleged defilement of a four-year-old girl at Tudun Gambo in Alkaleri Local Government Area.

The police said the incident was reported on October 20, adding that the victim was taken to Tudun Gambo Health Care Centre for medical examination and treatment.

Similarly, a 19-year-old suspect, Idris Sani, was arrested following a report that a six-year-old girl had allegedly been lured to a farm and sexually assaulted at Gwaram Village in Misau Local Government Area on November 4.

The victim was subsequently taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Misau, for medical examination.

The command also arrested a 40-year-old man, Mansur Sha’aibu, from Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State, over the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old boy at Atawari Village in Gadau District.

According to the statement, the victim was allegedly lured into a room and sexually assaulted on November 5 before being taken to General Hospital, Azare, for medical examination.

In a separate incident, a 25-year-old suspect, Michael Soja, was arrested over the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl at Dangara Village in Toro Local Government Area.

The police said the victim was allegedly attacked in a bush while tending her family’s cattle on November 3. Both the suspect and the victim were taken to General Hospital, Toro, for medical examination.

The police said all five suspects were in custody, adding that investigations were ongoing and they would be charged to court upon completion.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged offences assuring residents that the command would ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

He urged parents, guardians, teachers and community leaders to pay closer attention to the safety of children, listen to them and promptly report suspected cases of abuse to the nearest police station.

The commissioner also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating sexual and gender-based violence, particularly offences involving children.