The Bauchi Police Command has confirmed that it rescued a five-year-old boy reportedly chained by his father and starved for three days in the Gwallagan Mayaka area of the state.
Neighbours of the father, Abubakar Nuhu aka Wanzam, were said to have alerted the police after they found the boy chained.
The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil confirmed the development through a statement issued on Friday, 5 July, 2024.
According to Wakil, the ward head of Gwallagan Mayaka reported to the police on Wednesday, 3 July that he received information from a good Samaritan about the incident.
“A resident in the community revealed that his wife, Amina (not real name), had informed him that she saw a 5-year-old boy of their neighbours tied with a chain inside a room situated at the same address.
“Amina promptly checked on the boy to confirm his condition and found him lying unconscious, tied with a chain. on receipt of the information, a team of detectives led by CSP. Mubarak S. Baba DPO D’ Division, Dutsen Tanshi moved to the scene and rescued the boy,” Wakil said.
The statement further revealed that during an interview, the victim, Hussaini, disclosed he was chained by his father without food for three days.
According to the state police image-maker, the Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Musa Muhammad, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officer to arrest the father for investigation.
Wakil said the defendant had claimed to have confined the minor “in order to restrict him from stealing their neighbour’s valuables.”
