THE Bauchi state police command have rescued a five-year-old boy who was allegedly chained by his father in the state.
According to Bauchi State Commissioner of Police Auwal Muhammad today, the boy was kept to a room for three days without proper food.
He stated that the incidence came to light on July 3, 2024, after a concerned citizen reported it to the ward head.
“According to the report received by the ward head, a resident of the same area had spotted young Hussaini tied with a chain inside a room,” the CP said.
“Upon verifying the distressing information, the local authorities were alerted and promptly responded and a team of detectives led by CSP Mubarak S. Baba, the Divisional Police Officer of D’ Division (Dutsen Tanshi), swiftly arrived at the scene and rescued the child.”
According to the commissioner, the boy confessed during further interviews that his father, Abubakar Nuhu, also known as Wanzam, had subjected him to serious abuse.
He noted that the child confessed being confined and neglected, going days without proper care or food, and that the suspect was later arrested for child abuse.
“During interrogation, the accused claimed he had confined his son to prevent him from stealing from neighbours, purportedly advised by an acquaintance,” he stated.
Briefing newsmen in Bauchi yesterday, the suspect narrated how he received complaints from neighbours about his son.
“I was always receiving complaints from neighbours that my son was stealing food from them. He breaks into their homes through the window and leaves with their food, he doesn’t steal anything else except food. I concluded that beating him would not solve the problem, so, a neighbour advised me to tie him with a chain whenever I am not at home,” the suspect said.
The CP then ordered that the case be sent to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a full investigation.
He also directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police to look into the motivations behind such horrific abuse.
