Police Arrest Two Relatives for Kidnapping, Murder of Nine-Year-Old in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the abduction and killing of a nine-year-old boy, Barhama Abubakar.

The suspects, Yahaya Zubairu, 20, and Babangida Muhammad, 20, were taken into custody following an investigation into the incident. According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, both men are relatives of the victim and resided in the same compound as him.

The victim was reportedly kidnapped on March 21, 2026, after which a ransom of ₦1,000,000 was demanded from his family. Police operatives moved swiftly, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the boy’s remains.

“The victim’s decomposed body was recovered, and a medical examination confirmed death,” the statement read.

SP Habib explained that the two suspects allegedly conspired to abduct and kill the child, binding his neck and legs in a manner that resulted in his death.

He further revealed that Babangida Muhammad, a cousin of the victim, lured the boy by sending him to buy a biscuit and deliver it to a designated primary school. It was there that the two suspects picked him up and took him to the location where the crime was committed.

The police spokesperson noted that both suspects had confessed to the crime, adding that they targeted the victim’s father because they believed he was wealthy.

In response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities.

SP Habib confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). He assured the public of the command’s commitment to ensuring justice and appealed to citizens to provide useful information that could lead to the arrest of other individuals involved in similar crimes.