The Bauchi State Police Command has taken a 20-year-old man, Rabiu Safiyanu, into custody over a kidnapping case that led to the death of a four-year-old boy.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, said detectives from the ‘C’ Divisional Headquarters in Bauchi, under the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer, made the arrest after receiving a report about the missing child.
Habib explained that the matter was reported on Saturday, March 21, by Salisu Yunusa of Nasarawa Madina Quarters, who said his son, Yunusa Salisu, had disappeared on March 18.
He added that the father later received a call from an unknown number on March 19 demanding a ransom of N500,000. Although N100,000 was paid, the child was not returned.
“Investigation into the matter led to the arrest of one Rabiu Safiyanu, 20, of the same address, who is a friend to the complainant’s younger brother and had free access to the house,” the statement read.
Police said the suspect confessed during questioning to kidnapping the child, strangling him, and abandoning his body at Warinje Hills while continuing to demand ransom.
The command added that the victim’s decomposing body was later found in a shallow grave, showing signs of strangulation.
A rope believed to have been used in carrying out the crime was also recovered from the scene.
The statement further said the Officer in Charge of the Police Clinic confirmed the child dead.
According to the police, the body was photographed and then handed over to the family for burial at the location on public health grounds.
Habib also said the state Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the matter for thorough investigation and prosecution.
He urged residents to stay alert and promptly report suspicious movements or activities in their communities to security agencies.
