The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old man, Rabiu Safiyanu, in connection with the kidnapping and killing of a four-year-old boy.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, detectives from the ‘C’ Divisional Headquarters, under the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer, apprehended Safiyanu following a report of a missing child. The case was first reported on Saturday, March 21, by the boy’s father, Salisu Yunusa of Nasarawa Madina Quarters, who said his son, Yunusa Salisu, had gone missing on March 18.
The father also revealed that he received a ransom call from an unknown number on March 19 demanding N500,000, of which he paid N100,000, but the child was not released.
Investigation led to the arrest of Safiyanu, who was a friend of the complainant’s younger brother and had unrestricted access to the house. During questioning, the suspect reportedly confessed to abducting the child, strangling him, and dumping his body at Warinje Hills before continuing to demand ransom.
The police later recovered the victim’s decomposing body from a shallow grave, showing visible signs of strangulation. A rope suspected to have been used in the crime was also found. The Officer in Charge of the Police Clinic confirmed the child’s death. The body was photographed and released to the family for burial on public health grounds.
The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case for discreet investigation and prosecution. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
