The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old man, Jafar Mohammed, of Zango Ward, Bauchi, over allegations of abducting and raping a 16-year-old girl.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, said the police received a written petition on September 3, 2026, from a 35-year-old woman of Makwalla Ward, Bauchi, reporting that her younger sister had been missing since August 5, 2026.
According to the statement, the petitioner said efforts to locate the missing girl had proved unsuccessful.
Following a discreet investigation, detectives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) tracked the victim’s phone number and discovered that it was in the possession of the suspect in Abuja.
The statement added that the victim returned home on August 8, 2026, and alleged that the suspect had deceived her with a promise of marriage before having sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
“Acting on intelligence-led policing, SCID operatives arrested the suspect in October 2026 at the Hayin Rigasa axis of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State,” the statement said.
Habib added that the suspect had allegedly confessed to the allegations during interrogation.
He said the case was currently under discreet investigation at the Gender Laboratory of the SCID in Bauchi.
In a separate operation, the Bauchi State Police Command said operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU) had dismantled a suspected drug distribution network, arrested a convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy allegedly used to deliver illicit substances.
The Command said the operation was part of its sustained efforts to combat drug trafficking and other criminal activities across the state.
According to Habib, on October 26, 2026, VCRU operatives led by the unit’s officer-in-charge intercepted a 14-year-old boy, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver a pinch of a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice, to a customer.
“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, male, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” the statement said.
Following the disclosure, detectives reportedly traced and arrested Ogochukwu at his location.
A search of his shop and residence led to the recovery of several substances suspected to be illicit drugs, including 3.5 grammes of methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg Tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg Pregabalin capsules, seven sachets of Diazepam and 12 Exol tablets.
Other items recovered were two wraps of a substance known as “Yellow Boys” and one sachet of a substance called “Shine Shine Leather.”
The police spokesperson said preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspect allegedly received supplies of illicit substances through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.
Habib said the 14-year-old boy had been handled in accordance with juvenile justice best practices and would be reunited with his family after counseling.
He added that the principal suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance policy towards gender-based violence and all forms of abuse against minors.
The commissioner assured the public that justice would be served and urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children and wards.
CP also commended the VCRU for its commitment and operational performance.
According to the statement, the Command recorded four major drug busts and secured convictions within 10 days, a development the commissioner said demonstrated its sustained efforts against drug trafficking.
He assured residents that the Command would maintain its operations against drug trafficking and other forms of criminality in the state.