A 52-year-old man in Bauchi state has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and killing the 5-year-old daughter of his neighbour after collecting ransom from her parents.
Kabiru Abdullahi, a resident of Narabi, in the Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, allegedly connived with one Alhaji Yawale, 45, to kidnap the girl.
Both men were arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Bauchi State.
Parading the suspects at the NSCDC headquarters in Bauchi on Monday, May 9, the State Commandant, Nurudeen Abdullahi, said the men kidnapped the child in front of their house and took her to a bridge where they strangled her and put her in a sack.
They then buried her body in Kabiru’s kitchen after which they contacted her father to demand N1m as ransom.
After negotiations, they were paid N150,000.
The NSCDC commandant said: “On April 23, 2022, around 7.30 pm, information was received on the alleged kidnap of a five-year-old girl, Amina Abdullahi, at Sabon Gari Narabi, Toro LGA, Bauchi State.
“NSCDC officers attached to the Toro division swung into action and arrested the following suspects: Kabiru Abdullahi, 52, (direct neighbour) and Alhaji Yawale, 45.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the prime suspect, Kabiru, kidnapped Amina in front of her house, took her to a nearby bridge, strangled her and put her in a sack.
“He contacted the father of the victim, Yusuf Abdullahi, and demanded a ransom. After a series of negotiations, it was agreed that the sum of N150,000 be paid for her release.
“His accomplice, Alhaji Yawale, collected the sum of N150,000 under a tamarind tree in the bush at Narabi village.
“Further investigation revealed that Amina was killed on April 27, 2022, and buried inside the kitchen of the prime suspect.
“A team of investigators dug the sack from the ground and took the body to the General Hospital, Toro, where she was certified dead by a medical doctor.”
Nurudeen Abdullahi said exhibits recovered from the suspects are the sum of N42,000, fake $200 notes, charms, two MTN SIM cards, different car keys and phone numbers.
He said the suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
