The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested five suspects in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of two girls aged 12 and 10 in separate incidents in Zaki and Katagum Local Government Areas of the state.

The arrests followed reports by the victims’ fathers, according to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib.

In the first incident, a 50-year-old man from Sakwa village in Zaki Local Government Area reported that four young men had allegedly abducted his 12-year-old daughter and taken her to a room, where they sexually assaulted her.

The police identified the four suspects as residents of Sakwa District. They are aged between 18 and 22.

The victim was taken to General Hospital, Zaki, for medical examination, while the four suspects were arrested.

The police said preliminary investigations had been concluded before the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Bauchi for further investigation.

Police arrest 15-year-old suspect in second case

In a separate incident, police arrested a 15-year-old boy over the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl in Buskuri village, Azare, in Katagum Local Government Area.

Habib said the victim’s 45-year-old father reported the incident at the Azare Divisional Police Headquarters on October 29.

According to the police account, the alleged incident occurred on October 15, when the suspect reportedly lured the girl to a farm.

The victim was taken to General Hospital, Azare, for medical examination, while the suspect was arrested and transferred to the SCID for further investigation.

Cases transferred for further investigation

The police said all five suspects had been arrested and that investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding both incidents.

The transfer of the cases to the SCID is expected to support further investigation and the preparation of any necessary prosecution.

The incidents add to concerns over child protection and sexual violence in Bauchi State, where police have recently reported other cases involving minors.

In an earlier statement, the command urged parents and guardians to monitor their children’s movements, pay attention to the people they interact with and create safe environments where children can report abuse without fear.

The police also encouraged residents to report suspected cases of child abuse to the nearest police station.
The latest arrests underscore the importance of safeguarding children and ensuring that allegations of abuse receive prompt investigation and appropriate legal action.