The suspected ritualist
By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
The Police in Bauchi have arrested a 20-year old man for allegedly cutting off the private part of a six-year old child for suspected ritual purposes.
The Spokesman of the Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakil, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Bauchi.
According to him, when the Police received the complain by the aunt of the victim, they swung into action and arrested the suspect while his accomplice is still at large.
He added that when the Police rushed the victim to the hospital, a medical doctor confirmed that her private part had been removed.
Wakil, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said: “On the 30th December, 2020 at about 7.20pm one Hafsatu Wada of zango area of Jama’are LGA, reported at the Jama’are Police Station that her niece Safarau Mohammed (not real name) (6) of the same address was found crying in a pool of her blood.
“Upon the receipt of the complaint, a patrol team led by the DPO of the Jama’are Division visited the scene and rushed the victim to the General Hospital Jama’are. There, a Medical Doctor confirmed that her private part had been cut off with a sharp object.
“The victim was immediately referred to Federal Medical Center, Azare for more medical response.
“During investigation, One Adamu Ra’uf (20) of Gandu Jama’are was arrested. On interrogation, the suspect freely confessed to have conspired with one Abdulkadir Haladu of Chikamidari area of Jama’are to perpetrate the crime.
“The said Abdulkadir is currently at large but necessary measures are being put in place for his immediate arrest. Meanwhile, investigation is still on going.”
According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Lawan Jimeta directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation.
Similarly, the Police Spokesman stated that four teenagers were arrested for being in possession of dangerous weapons and for criminal conspiracy and armed robbery.
He added that the suspects allegedly belonged to a cult group called “Bager”.
According to Wakil, the gang leader, one Idris Yakubu (18) was first arrested for armed robbery while his members were later arrested at a hotel in the metropolis.
“On the 31st December, 2020 at about 12 midnight, a patrol team led by the DPO D’ Division arrested one Idris Yakubu, (18) of Federal Low cost, Layin Ansar, Bauchi with a locally made revolver pistol loaded with 17 rounds of live ammunitions in the house of one Alhaji Garba Bello of Makama New extension, Bauchi.
“While trying to rob him, the suspected armed robber fired two gunshots in the house before he was arrested. During interrogation, he confessed to have his Gang members in Larema Hotel,” he stated.
According to him, useful information given by Yakubu, led to the arrest of his other gang members namely: Umar Abdullahi, (19) of Feguna, Plateau State, Hassan Lawal (18) and Sadik Illyas (18) of Katako Junction, Jos, Plateau State.
He added that the three suspects were arrested with one locally made pistol and two cartridges in their possession.
Preliminary investigation, he said, revealed that they belong to a cult group named ”Bager” pointing out that further investigation was in progress after which they would be profiled and charged to court for prosecution and possible conviction.
He called on members of the public to continue giving useful information to the Police to help them in combating crime and criminality in the state and urged them to report any incident to the nearest Police Station immediately for necessary action.