Police arrest ‘kidnapper who killed ASP’s son’ in Bauchi

The police command in Bauchi has announced the arrest of one Rabi’u Adamu, a suspected kidnapper, who killed the 12-year-old son of Bala Yerima, an assistant superintendent of police (ASP).

In a statement on Friday, Ahmed Wakil, the command’s spokesperson, said the 20-year-old suspect kidnapped and murdered Christopher Bala in Magama Gumau town. 

Wakil said the victim was kidnapped while on an errand on March 21.

“On March 21st, 2024, at approximately 0800hrs, the Bauchi State Police Command received a distress call regarding the abduction of Christopher Bala, son of ASP Bala Yerima, from Gumau town,” the statement reads.

“Upon receiving the report, detectives from the Toro Division immediately responded to initiate a rescue operation and apprehend the perpetrators of the act.”

Wakil said after preliminary investigations, the suspect confessed to strangling the late Christopher and also admitted to extorting N200,000 ransom from the victim’s father. 

“He admitted that fearing that Christopher recognized him, he went ahead to strangle the 12-year-old victim and buried the body in a shallow grave at Bazale village hill,” the police spokesperson said. 

“Following established procedures, the Bauchi State Police Command exhumed the victim’s remains.

“A postmortem examination conducted at the General Hospital Toro confirmed the cause of death as strangulation. 

“Subsequently, the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation, following a directive by the state commissioner of police.”