A 21-year-old Mubarak Haladu is presently in the custody of the Nigerian Police Force in Gombe state for kidnapping, culpable homicide, shop breaking, and theft.
The suspect allegedly abducted his seven-year-old nephew, Haruna Bello, and demanded a ransom of N1.5 million from the boy’s father, Bello Haladu.
The Gombe State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed the arrest on Friday.
He stated that Mubarak demanded the ransom through a phone call, leaving his brother devastated.
Sadly, police discovered the boy’s body in an abandoned building after launching a search.
“I received a call from Mubarak, demanding N1.5 million in exchange for my son’s freedom. I was devastated,” Bello Haladu recounted in a police statement.
The case was handed over to the Anti-Kidnapping unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department, which uncovered Mubarak’s involvement in other crimes, including breaking into shops and stealing approximately 30 mobile phones.
Police found that one of the stolen SIM cards was used to make the ransom call.
Abdullahi added, “Tragically, on October 18, 2024, the young victim, Haruna Bello, was found dead and decomposing in an uncompleted building in Dadin Kowa village.
“We condemn this heinous act and assure the public that justice will be served.”
The police confirmed that Mubarak Haladu will soon face prosecution for his crimes.
In another related development, operatives of the state police command have also arrested A 31-year-old man, Jonathan James, for allegedly stabbing his 65-year-old aunt, Ramatu Musa, to death
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of 21 October, 2024, at Bagadaza Quarters, Gombe.
The state police-image maker, Abdullahi, who announced the arrest of the suspect in a statement issued on Sunday, 27 October, 2024, said distress call was received at 2:15 a.m., prompting a rapid response from a Pantami Division patrol team led by ASP Girema Yahaya.
“Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Specialist Hospital in Gombe,” Abdullahi stated, just as he also confirmed that the police arrested Jonathan James at the scene and recovered the weapon used in the crime.
Authorities have not yet determined the motive behind the attack but assured the public that the investigation is being pursued with urgency.
“The police are taking this case very seriously, and the suspect will soon face charges in court,” Abdullahi said, adding that justice will be sought for the tragic incident.
