Bauchi Police Arrest Stepmother, 19-Year-Old Suspect Over Deaths of Two Children

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the separate deaths of two children in Alkaleri and Ganjuwa Local Government Areas of the state.

The suspects are Fatima Ibrahim, 23, the stepmother of a boy who died after allegedly drinking a beverage given to him, and Sadiku Musa, 19, who was arrested in connection with the death of a five-year-old girl in Badaromo village.

The police spokesperson, Nafiu Habib, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Monday, October 26, 2026.

According to the statement, the first incident occurred on October 16 in Kwaimawa village, where the boy reportedly began vomiting uncontrollably shortly after consuming a drink allegedly given to him by his stepmother.

The child was initially taken to a Primary Health Care Centre in Kwaimawa before being transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, for further treatment.

He reportedly battled for his life for eight days before a medical doctor confirmed his death on October 24.

Habib said detectives launched an investigation following a report by the village head of Kwaimawa, leading to the arrest of Fatima Ibrahim, who remains in police custody as investigations continue.

In a separate incident, a five-year-old girl was reported missing by her grandfather on the evening of October 23 in Badaromo village.

The police said residents joined the search for the child, whose body was discovered at about 7 am on October 24 in a small water pit behind the village.

Following the discovery, officers from the Soro Police Division secured the scene and arrested Sadiku Musa, 19, of the same community, in connection with the incident.

Both cases have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, described the incidents as heartbreaking and inhumane, assuring the bereaved families that the command would pursue justice.

“These are innocent souls. Children who looked up to adults for protection. We will ensure that justice speaks for Habiba and Mubarak,” the commissioner said.

He also commiserated with the families of the deceased and urged parents, guardians and community leaders to pay closer attention to children’s safety.

The police have not announced the outcome of the investigations, and the suspects’ alleged involvement remains subject to the ongoing legal process.

The Daily Reality