The arrested suspects
By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
The police have arrested three men for allegedly gang-raping a 12-year old hawker in Jalam town in Dambam Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The state police spokesman, Ahmed Wakil, a Superintendent of Police, said in a statement on Friday that the suspects lured the victim to the outskirts of the market where they defiled her.
SP Wakil said that a medical examination conducted on the girl confirmed that she was raped.
He said: “On May 18, 2023 at about 12.00pm, a distress call was received from a medical doctor serving in General Hospital Dambam, disclosing that on the same date at about 11.30am, one (Hafsat Habu, not real name), female (12) of Jalam town Dambam L.G.A in a accompany of her father named Buba Usman of same address, went to the Hospital for medical attention of the said Hafsat Habu.
“It was discovered that the girl was raped based on medical examination. On receiving the information, a team of detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer, Dambam, visited the hospital and launched discreet investigation on the matter.
“Consequently, investigation revealed that on May 17, 2023 at about 12.00pm, the victim while hawking tofu (awara) at Dambam market, was lured by a group of three persons to the outskirts of the market and forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.
“Investigation was extended, which led to the arrest of three suspects namely: Babangida Buba (35) of Rugan Waziri, Dambam LGA; Kamisu Garba (27) of Dambam town, Dambam LGA and Yahaya Babayo (30) of Busuri village, Katagum LGA,” he said.
According to him, during interrogation, all the suspects confessed to the crime, adding that the investigation is ongoing, after which the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution.
Similarly, he said that on May 5, 2022 at about 6.20pm, one Fatima Abdullahi, female (17) of Miya-Barkete Town, Toro LGA, accompanied by her parents of the same address, reported at Toro Divisional Police Headquarters that on the same date at about 4.00pm, that she (Fatima), had gone to Kayara hill to fetch firewood.
He added that she was forcefully raped by a herder, who threatened her with a machete.
“On her way back, she was suddenly confronted by one Adamu Lawan, male (16) of Lere village via Tulu, Toro LGA, while rearing some cows. He stopped and threatened her with a machete and then forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of her on the spot.
“On receiving the report, a team of detectives led by the DPO visited the scene, and rushed the victim to the General Hospital Toro for medical examination where a Doctor confirmed penetration.
“The suspect was arrested and confessed to have committed the offense. The suspect would be charged to court on completion of the investigation for prosecution,” he said.
In a related development, Wakil further said that on May 13, 2023 at about 5.30pm, one Umaru Yusuf, male (38) of Itas town, reported at Itas Gadau Divisional Police Headquarters that on the same date at about 12.59pm, one Ibrahim Abdullahi, male (27) of Itas town, deceitfully lured a 7-year old Ameera, female (not real name) of the same address into a toilet at Central Science Primary School in the area, and forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.
According to him, on receiving the report, a team of detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer visited the scene and took the victim to the General Hospital Itas-Gadau, while the suspect was arrested.
He said that during interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to have committed the offense
The Police Spokesman said that a discreet investigation is ongoing, after which the suspect would be charged to court for prosecution on completion of the investigation.
He said that while commending the Operatives attached to the command for their dedication and professionalism, the Commissioner of Police Bauchi State Command, CP Aminu Alhassan, assured the people of the State of the Command’s unwavering commitment toward the security of lives and property in the State.
According to him, the CP equally urged the citizens to continue being vigilant and security conscious, as he reiterated that there would be no hiding place for criminals in the state.
