The Bauchi Police Command has arrested four suspects over separate cases of alleged rape, attempted rape and shop-breaking in Azare and Bununu communities.
The arrests followed separate operations by detectives attached to Azare Division and a joint patrol team of police operatives and members of the Yan Committee in Bununu.
According to the command in a statement signed by the Its Spokesman, SP Nafiu Habib, on Wednesday, the most recent cases involved three minors in Azare and neighbouring communities in Katagum Local Government Area.
In Azare, police arrested 20-year-old Gidado Adamu after he allegedly lured an eight-year-old girl into a farm at Chokle Quarters and attempted to sexually assault her.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, September 14, after which the girl raised an alarm and the suspect fled.
Police detectives later arrested Adamu and took the victim to General Hospital, Azare, for medical attention.
In another case in Samamuro Village, also in Katagum LGA, police arrested another 20-year-old man, Abba Umaru, for allegedly attempting to rape a 10-year-old girl.
The command said Umaru allegedly lured the girl into a farm on September 6, but fled after she screamed for help.
The police said the suspect was arrested following a report made by the girl’s father.
Meanwhile, a 22-year-old man, Auwalu Wada, popularly known as Samba, was arrested over the alleged rape of two seven-year-old girls at Buskuri Village in the Madara District of Katagum LGA.
The command alleged that Wada lured the two children into an uncompleted building on September 14, where he sexually assaulted them before fleeing.
The two victims were subsequently taken to General Hospital, Azare, for medical attention, while the suspect was arrested by detectives.
In Bununu, police also arrested 21-year-old Umar Ladan after he was allegedly found wearing a hijab and attempting to break into shops in the town.
The command said the suspect could not provide a satisfactory explanation when he was confronted by the patrol team, leading to his arrest.
The four cases have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for further investigation and prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has commended the operatives for their swift response warning that the command would not tolerate gender-based violence or other forms of criminality.
He urged parents and guardians across the State to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities involving children and other vulnerable persons.
