Police arrest five for defiling minors in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested five suspects over separate cases of alleged rape, defilement and sodomy involving children aged between four and 17 across the state.

The suspects, aged between 18 and 44, were arrested in connection with the reported sexual assaults involving four girls and a 13-year-old boy.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Habib said the first case was reported on November 2, 2026, when a father reported that his eight-year-old daughter had allegedly been sexually assaulted two days earlier at Disina Village, Yana Local Government Area.

“Our operatives immediately visited the scene, ensured the child received medical attention at General Hospital, Yana, and arrested one Shawilu Liman, 44 years,” he said.

He said another case was reported on October 20, involving a four-year-old girl who was allegedly lured and sexually assaulted at Tudun Gambo, Alkaleri Local Government Area.

According to him, the victim was taken to Tudun Gambo Health Care Centre for medical examination and treatment, while an 18-year-old suspect, Zakariya Auwal, was arrested.

Habib also said a family reported on November 4 that their six-year-old daughter had allegedly been lured to a farm and sexually assaulted at Gwaram Village, Misau Local Government Area.

He said the victim was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Misau, for medical examination, while a 19-year-old suspect, Idris Sani, was arrested.

The police spokesperson further disclosed that a case involving a 13-year-old boy was reported on November 5 at Atawari Village, Gadau District.

He said the boy was allegedly lured into a room and sexually assaulted through unnatural means.

“The boy was taken to General Hospital, Azare, for medical examination, and one Mansur Sha’aibu, 40 years old, of Gaya LGA, Kano State, was arrested,” Habib said.

In another case, Habib said a father reported on November 3 that his 17-year-old daughter had allegedly been raped in a bush at Dangara Village, Toro Local Government Area, while rearing cows.

He said a 25-year-old suspect, Michael Soja, from the village, was arrested, adding that both the suspect and the victim were taken to General Hospital, Toro, for medical examination.

The PPRO said all five suspects were in police custody and would be charged to court after the completion of investigations.

He added that the victims had received medical attention, while the command was working with relevant stakeholders to provide them with psychosocial support and protection.

The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, as condemning the alleged offences, describing them as “wicked, inhuman and a betrayal of the trust our children place in adults around them.”

Aliyu said, “No child deserves to live in fear. No parent should be afraid to let their child play, go to school, or help at home.

“We will not look away. We will pursue every case, protect every victim, and ensure that perpetrators face the full wrath of the law.”

The commissioner urged parents, guardians, teachers, religious and community leaders to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or behaviour to the nearest police station.

He also urged them to listen to children and believe them when they report abuse, stressing that “early reporting saves lives and preserves evidence.”

Aliyu assured residents that the command maintained zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence, particularly against children.

He said the police would continue to work with communities to ensure that “every home, school and village” was safe for children.