19-year-old Lady arrested by Police for alleged theft of new born Baby, murder of 2 Girls
19-year-old Lady arrested by Police for alleged theft of new born Baby, murder of 2 Girls
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old woman, Esther Gambo, for allegedly abducting and murdering two young girls in Toro Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement released Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Ahmed Wakil, the suspect, a resident of Lemoro Village, reportedly lured two seven-year-old girls, Khadija Sama’ila and A’isha Dahiru, from Unguwan Sarkin Yaki Village.
Wakil said police operatives, acting swiftly on the report in collaboration with local vigilantes, recovered the lifeless bodies of the girls, rescued a kidnapped newborn, and apprehended the suspect.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Esther allegedly targeted the baby daughter of one Nafisa Dahiru. After abducting the infant, she reportedly led the two girls to a maize farm and killed them with a machete before fleeing the scene.
The tragic incident sparked unrest, particularly among Muslim youth in the area, resulting in violent protests. Churches were set ablaze, and an attempt was made to torch the Tulu Divisional Police Headquarters.
Police reinforcements from the Area Command in Toro and nearby divisions were deployed and successfully repelled the attack.
Sixteen suspects linked to the violent protests have been arrested. Those in custody include Abbas Abdullahi (20), Mubarak Auwal (19), Abdullahi Muhammad alias P.A (19), Dauda Abdullahi (19), Abubakar Sama’ila (18), Abdulmutallib Ibrahim (18), Yazid Auwal (20), Abdulrahman Ibrahim (17), Abdulwahid Sulaiman (17), Salihu Shuaibu (20), Sirajo Halliru (24), Musayib Abdullahi (21), Ibrahim Abubakar (19), Esther Idi (19), Gambo Yakubu (20), and Idi Bitrus (50).
Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu condemned the murder and abduction but also expressed concern over the retaliatory violence.
He urged residents to allow the law to take its course, warning against mob justice and unlawful reprisals.
Aliyu emphasised the need for community cooperation and assured the public that a thorough investigation is ongoing. He called for calm, promising that justice will be served through proper legal channels.
