The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old suspect, Rabiu Safiyanu, in connection with the kidnapping and killing of a four-year-old boy in Bauchi.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, said detectives attached to the ‘C’ Divisional Headquarters, led by the Divisional Police Officer, effected the arrest following a report of a missing child.
According to Habib, the case was reported on Saturday, March 21, by Salisu Yunusa of Nasarawa Madina Quarters, who stated that his son, Yunusa Salisu, had gone missing on March 18.
The father reportedly told police that he received a call from an unidentified number on March 19 demanding a ransom of N500,000. He said he paid N100,000 but the child was not released.
Investigations led to the arrest of Safiyanu, who resides in the same area and is said to be a friend of the complainant’s younger brother, giving him free access to the family’s residence.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to abducting the child, strangling him, and dumping his body at Warinje Hills before making additional ransom demands.
Police said the decomposing body of the victim was later recovered from a shallow grave, with visible marks of strangulation. A rope suspected of having been used in committing the crime was also found at the scene.
The Officer in Charge of the Police Clinic confirmed the child was dead, after which the body was photographed and released to the family for burial at the site on public health grounds.
Habib disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case for discreet investigation and prosecution.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities in their communities to security agencies.
