MAN ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING AND MURDER OF FOUR-YEAR-OLD IN BAUCHI

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By: Muftau Fatimo

The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed that a 20-year-old suspect, Rabiu Safiyanu, is in custody over a kidnapping case that led to the death of a four-year-old boy.

The command’s spokesman, Nafiu Habib, in a statement on Sunday, explained that detectives attached to the ‘C’ Divisional Headquarters in Bauchi, led by the Divisional Police Officer, effected the arrest following a reported case of a missing child.

The reported case, according to the statement, was made on Saturday, March 21, by one Salisu Yunusa of Nasarawa Madina Quarters, stating that his son, Yunusa Salisu, had gone missing on March 18.

The father further explained that on March 19, 2026, he received a call from an unidentified number demanding a ransom of N500,000, out of which he paid N100,000, but the child was not released.

He said that investigation into the matter led to the arrest of one Rabiu Safiyanu, 20, of the same address, a friend of the complainant’s younger brother who had free access to the house.

According to Habib, “During interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted to abducting the child, strangling him, and disposing of his body at Warinje Hills before making additional ransom demands.”

The police confirmed that the victim’s decomposed body was later recovered from a shallow grave, showing visible signs of strangulation. A rope believed to have been used in the crime was also recovered at the scene.

The statement added that the Officer in Charge of the Police Clinic confirmed the child’s death, noting that the body was photographed and subsequently released to the family for burial in accordance with public health guidelines.

The state Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case for discreet investigation and prosecution of the suspect.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their communities to security authorities.