A 20-year-old man, Rabiu Adamu, has been arrested for kidnapping and strangling 12-year-old Christopher Bala in Magaman Gumau Toro Local Government Area (LGA) of Bauchi State after collecting N200,000 ransom from the father.
Christopher who was abducted by Adamu while on an errand, is the son of a Police officer, ASP Bala Yarima, of Gumau Division, Bauchi State Police Command, the Bauchi Command spokesperson, SP Ahmed Wakil, disclosed in a statement on Thursday in Bauchi
Wakil added that the suspect confessed to the kidnap and killing Christopher and receiving N200,000 as ransom from the victim’s father.
Adamu, the Bauchi Police spokesperson further added said he killed Christopher because he recognised him and buried the body in a shallow grave.
The Spokesperson said the command had exhumed the victim’s remains, and a postmortem was conducted at the General Hospital Toro, which confirmed the cause of death as strangulation.
“Upon receiving the report, detectives from the Toro Division immediately responded to initiate a rescue operation and apprehended the perpetrator of the act.
“Preliminary investigations which identified 20-year-old Magama Gumau resident, Rabiu Adamu, as the prime suspect, revealed alarming details of extortion and blood relationship between the suspect, victim and victim’s family,” he said.
He added that the suspect eventually confessed to the kidnap and tragic murder of young Christopher; and also admitted to have extorted N200,000 as ransom from the victim’s father.
“He admitted he feared that the murdered Christopher recognised him, and so he went ahead to strangle him and buried the body in a shallow grave at Bazale village hill,” Wakil said.
The Spokesperson said the command had exhumed the victim’s remains, and a postmortem was conducted at the General Hospital Toro, which confirmed the cause of death as strangulation.
He said the case had been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation, following a directive by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Auwal Musa.
He said Auwal had expressed his deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Christopher Bala.
“The Command assures them that a relentless pursuit of justice is underway,” he said
The Spokesperson also called on families to be more vigilant about the people they keep close as family and friends, for the safety and security of their immediate family.
Wakil however, assured of the police’s unwavering and relentless efforts in sustaining the battle against crime and criminality in the state.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
