By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
A suspected kidnapper and murderer of the 12-year old son of a Police Officer in Gumau town in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State has been arrested.
The victim, Christopher is the son of an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bala Yarima, serving at the Gumau Division, was abducted by a 20-year old man while he was on an errand.
This was disclosed by the Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakil, in a statement made available to journalists in the State on Thursday.
Wakil, a Superintendent of Police, said that the suspect, after extorting N200,000 from the parents of the victim, later strangled him.
He said: “The Bauchi State Police Command hereby announces the successful arrest of a suspect in the kidnapping and murder of a 12-year-old, Christopher Bala, in Magama Gumau town. The victim who was abducted while on an errand is the biological son of a Police officer, ASP Bala Yarima of Gumau Division, Bauchi State Police Command.
“On March 21st, 2024, at approximately 8.00am, the Bauchi State Police Command received a distress call regarding the abduction of Christopher Bala, son of ASP Bala Yerima, from Gumau town.
“Upon receiving the report, detectives from the Toro Division immediately responded to initiate a rescue operation and apprehend the perpetrators of the act.”
He said that “preliminary investigations which identified 20-year-old Magama Gumau resident Rabi’u Adamu as the prime suspect, revealed alarming details of extortion and blood relation between the suspect, victim and victim’s family.”
Wakil said that Adamu eventually confessed to the kidnapping and the tragic murder of young Christopher. He admitted to having extorted N200,000 ransom from the victim’s father, ASP Yarima.
“He admitted that fearing that the murdered Christopher recognized him so he went ahead to strangle the 12-year-old victim and buried the body in a shallow grave at Bazale village hill,” tye victim confessed.
The PPRO said that following established procedures, the Bauchi State Police Command exhumed the victim’s remains and a postmortem examination conducted at the General Hospital Toro which confirmed the cause of death as strangulation.
He added that subsequently, the case was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation, following a directive by the State Commissioner of Police.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police expressed deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Christopher Bala and assured them that a relentless pursuit of justice is underway.
“He also called on Households to be more vigilant over the people they keep close particularly family and friends for the safety and security of their immediate family.
‘He assured of the police’s unwavering and relentless efforts in sustaining the battle against crime and criminality in the state,” he stated.
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