Firdaus Obiremi
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man over the separate deaths of two children in Alkaleri and Ganjuwa Local Government Areas of the state.
The suspects, identified as Fatima Ibrahim and Sadiku Musa, were arrested following investigations into the deaths of a boy and a five-year-old girl, respectively.
The police spokesperson, Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, saying the two cases had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation.
According to the statement, the first incident occurred on October 16, 2026, when the boy allegedly drank a beverage given to him by his stepmother, Ibrahim, 23, of Kwaimawa village.
Habib said the child began vomiting uncontrollably shortly after taking the drink and was rushed to a Primary Health Care Centre in the community.
He was subsequently transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, for further treatment.
The police spokesperson said the boy battled for his life for eight days before a medical doctor confirmed his death on October 24.
“Following a report by the Village Head of Kwaimawa, detectives swung into action and arrested the suspect. She is now in custody as the investigation continues,” the statement said.
The police did not disclose the nature of the substance allegedly contained in the beverage or establish whether it caused the child’s death.
In a separate incident, a five-year-old girl was found dead in a water pit in Badaromo village, Ganjuwa Local Government Area.
Habib said the girl’s grandfather reported her missing to the police at about 7pm on October 23, prompting a search by residents.
The search ended tragically at about 7am the following day when the child’s body was discovered in a small water pit behind the village.
Following the discovery, police operatives from the Soro Division cordoned off the scene and arrested Musa, 19, of the same community, in connection with the incident.
The police have yet to disclose the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death or the specific allegations against the second suspect.
The command said both cases had been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for discreet and comprehensive investigations.
Reacting to the incidents, the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, described the deaths 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 was quoted as saying.
Aliyu commiserated with the families of the deceased children and urged parents, guardians and community leaders to pay closer attention to children’s safety.
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