Bauchi police arrest two suspects over deaths of five-year-old girl, six-year-old boy

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the deaths of two children, aged five and six, in separate incidents in Alkaleri and Ganjuwa Local Government Areas of the state.

The victims were identified as six-year-old Mubarak Ibrahim of Kwaimawa village in Alkaleri and five-year-old Habiba Abubakar, who was staying with her aunt in Zaila village, Ganjuwa.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, describing the incidents as heartbreaking and inhuman.

According to the statement, Mubarak allegedly fell ill after taking a drink given to him by his 23-year-old stepmother, Fatima Ibrahim, on 16 October 2026.

The boy reportedly began vomiting uncontrollably shortly after taking the drink and was rushed to the Primary Health Care Centre in Kwaimawa before being transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, for further treatment.

He remained under medical care for eight days but died on 24 October 2026, after doctors were unable to save his life.

The police said detectives arrested the suspect following a report by the village head of Kwaimawa, adding that she remained in custody as investigations continued.

In the second incident, Habiba was reported missing by her grandfather, a resident of Badaromo village, at about 7pm on 23 October 2026.

A search was launched in the community, but her body was discovered at about 7am the following day in a small water pit behind the village.

Following the report, police operatives attached to Soro Division cordoned off the scene and arrested a 19-year-old suspect, identified as Sadiku Musa, in connection with the incident.

The command said both cases had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bauchi, for discreet and thorough investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, expressed sadness over the deaths and assured the families of the victims that the command would pursue justice.

“These are innocent souls. Children who looked up to adults for protection. We will ensure that justice speaks for Habiba and Mubarak,” the commissioner was quoted as saying.

He also commiserated with the bereaved families and urged parents, guardians and community leaders to pay closer attention to the safety of children and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the police.