By Sabiu Abdullahi
Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have taken a 50-year-old man into custody following the alleged sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl in the Katagum Local Government Area.
The arrest took place in the Bulkachuwa community. According to a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Nafiu Habib, law enforcement officers at the Bulkachuwa Divisional Police Headquarters moved in on the suspect after the victim’s father filed an official complaint.
The incident reportedly occurred around 5:00 pm on June 14, 2026. The young girl was out hawking soya bean cakes when the suspect allegedly targeted her. Under the pretext of wanting to purchase her wares, he lured her into an uncompleted building where the assault took place.
Detailing the incident, Habib said, “According to a report received at the Bulkachuwa Divisional Police Headquarters on June 15, 2026, at about 5 p.m., the complainant, a resident of Bulkachuwa, reported that on June 14, 2026, at about 5 p.m., one Muhammadu Audu of the same address lured his nine-year-old daughter while she was hawking soya bean cakes.
“Subsequently, the suspect allegedly took the minor to an uncompleted building with the pretext of buying from her, and had unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
“As a result, the victim sustained injuries to her private parts.”
During police interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed that this was not an isolated incident. He also admitted that he used a knife to threaten the young girl’s life to prevent her from telling her parents.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to having committed the crime more than once and also admitted that he threatened to kill the victim with a knife if she disclosed the matter to her parents,” Habib stated.
Following the report, the survivor was rushed to the Primary Health Care Centre in Bulkachuwa for immediate medical attention and examination. Meanwhile, the suspect remains locked up in police custody.
State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that a comprehensive investigation be launched into the matter.
“The Commissioner of Police condemned the act in strong terms and reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for sexual violence and crimes against children.
“The command further assures the public that the case will be diligently prosecuted and remains committed to protecting women and children across the state,” Habib added.
This development follows a similar incident in May, where the Bauchi State Police Command apprehended a 70-year-old man for the alleged assault of a 10-year-old girl in the Magama Gumau area of Toro Local Government Area.
