Bauchi: 19-year-old stepmother arrested over deaths of two children

Firdaus Obiremi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man over the separate deaths of two children in Alkaleri and Ganjuwa local government areas.

The suspects, identified as Fatima Ibrahim and Sadiku Musa, were arrested following investigations into the deaths of a five-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl respectively.

Police spokesperson Nafiu Habib revealed this in a statement released on Monday, saying that the two cases have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation.

According to the statement, the first incident occurred on October 16, 2026, when the boy allegedly drank a drink given to him by his stepmother, Ibrahim, 23, from Kwaimawa Village.

Habib said the child began vomiting uncontrollably shortly after taking the drink and was rushed to the community’s primary healthcare centre.

He was later transferred to the Federal Medical Center in Gombe for further treatment.

The police spokesman said the boy fought for his life for eight days before a doctor confirmed his death on October 24.

“Following a report from the Kwaimawa village chief, detectives swung into action and arrested the suspect. She is now in custody as investigations continue,” the statement read.

Police have not revealed the nature of the substance allegedly contained in the drink or established whether it caused the child’s death.

In another incident, a five-year-old girl was found dead in a water pit in Badaromo village, Ganjuwa Local Government Area.

Habib said the girl’s grandfather reported her missing to police around 7pm on October 23, prompting a search by residents.

The search ended tragically around 7am the next day, when the child’s body was discovered in a small water well behind the village.

Following the discovery, police officers from Soro Division cordoned off the scene and arrested Musa, 19, from the same community, in connection with the incident.

Police have yet to reveal the circumstances of the girl’s death or the specific charges against the second suspect.

The command said both cases have been handed over to the Bauchi State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet and thorough investigation.

Reacting to the incidents, the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, described the deaths as heartbreaking and inhumane, assuring the bereaved families that the police will pursue justice.

“These are innocent souls. Children who have sought protection from adults. We will ensure that justice speaks for Habiba and Mubarak,” the commissioner said.

Aliyu commiserated with the families of the deceased children and urged parents, guardians and community leaders to pay more attention to the safety of children.

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