The Bauchi State Police Command has detained two young men, Yahaya Zubairu and Babangida Muhammad, both 20, in connection with the alleged abduction and killing of a nine-year-old boy, Barhama Abubakar.
The development was made known on Wednesday in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Nafiu Habib.
Habib disclosed that the suspects, who are relatives of the deceased, lived in the same compound with him prior to the incident.
According to the police, the victim was declared missing on March 21, 2026, with his abductors reportedly demanding a ransom of N1m from his family.
The spokesperson said prompt police action led to the arrest of the suspects, while the remains of the boy were later recovered.
He added that medical findings confirmed the child’s death.
Preliminary investigations, according to Habib, indicated that the suspects allegedly planned the crime and restrained the victim, resulting in his death.
He further revealed that one of the suspects, said to be a cousin of the deceased, allegedly deceived the boy into running an errand to a nearby primary school, where he was subsequently taken away.
The police noted that the suspects admitted to the crime during interrogation, claiming they targeted the victim based on the belief that his father was wealthy.
Habib stated that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has called on parents and guardians to remain watchful and report any suspicious activities within their communities.
He added that the matter would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further probe and necessary legal action.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging members of the public to support ongoing investigations with credible information.
In a related incident, the Oyo State Police Command confirmed the re-arrest of a suspected kidnapper who had earlier escaped from custody.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the suspect was apprehended on March 17, 2026, at about 11:30pm during a routine stop-and-search exercise by officers attached to the Ojongbodu Area Command.
